Athena Fans at the MCG, Greece vs Australia
With the sudden and shock departure of senior coach Ante Kovacevic who cited personal reasons and the non-appointment of lifetime club stalwart Taki Nicolaides the search for their replacements began immediately.
Unsubstantiated suggestions have emerged that the outgoing coaching staff had voiced concerns about the less than desirable levels of support being provided by the Board for the football operations department of the club. Coupled with the sacking of reserves coach Goodman - plans with a focus on the future playing squad seemed somewhat professionally compromised.
Hot unbackable favourite in rumour mill around the football town from the outset to take on the vacancy was Chris Barbas. He was the current Under 18's coach who had successfully guided his side to an emphatic cup final victory of sheer character and determination only a few weeks back.
With the important emphasis always being on stability at a football club - it was critical that that a sound decision was made quickly. At the club AGM on Friday September 23 2011 Barbas was announced as the senior coach of Floreat Athena Football Club.
To the best of the bloggers knowledge this makes him the first home grown, player to rise to the position of first team coach from beginning through all junior and senior ranks at Floreat Athena. The membership wished him luck on the back of the President's impassioned call "that he will do a brilliant job". This being a constant dream that all Athena fans have of all the coaches and teams in the clubs history.
No doubt Barbas as the incumbent coach is well aware of the expectation and the rights of passage and honour now upon him in the hots seat at Floreat Athena. The step up to senior football will bring with it many new challenges.
It is well held that the much coveted vacant position of senior coach at arguably WA football's 2nd highest profile club historically - did not go out out to an interview recruitment process with t he Board opting for an appointment from within its coaching ranks as sometimes is the case at football clubs. So credit to the board for committing to its decision in a prompt manner.
As a state league player in the 1980's, Barbas was a high profile and well regraded goal keeper for both Floreat Athena and Perth Italia. He returned to the club just 2 years ago after over 2 decades away from the club to take up the 18's coaching position under the Poulios presidency period.
During his absence Chris earnt a reputation as a successful and highly committed coach in WA junior football coaching circles, in particular at his then club Inglewood. His ambition to ultimately coach at the highest level in WA senior football was evident at the time of his appointment to the Athena 18's coaching position as he was in fact considered by the Board initially as a potential reserves coach.
What now remains to be seen is how the player group reacts to the sudden departure of club favourite Ante Kocavevic. A man who had become synonymous with the resurgen and recentt success at the club. This was achieved over the past five years of his tenure at the club with three of them as a player and two as a player coach. However, most importantly a year ago he was responsible for the the recruitment of the young group of players for whom 2011 was their first year at the club
With the time it took to recover from the sheer number of quality players who left the club during the 2010/11 summer massacre at Brtiannia Road - the last thing the club needs now is a similar casualty rate. This would be demoralising for all concerned at the club.
It is crucial that we retain the great majority - if not all of the playing roster. This will bring with it the added benefit of the virtues of a period of stability and loyalty. Along with some appropriate strategic decisions of bringing in new blood that would fit the new coaching teams plans and goals - then the clubs demands and expectations of success have a greater chance of being met in 2012.
It is well held that the side will need bolstering in some critical areas areas if it is at all to seriously challenge for a top five finish over 22 weeks in the home and away format. However to date no direction has been indicated to determine what kind of football operations budget will be allocated. Until then no predictive judgement into 2012 can be made.
The fans will wait eagerly and somewhat nervously until two significant things occur.
Firstly, that senior quality experienced players that will be in demand at other ambitious clubs are retained - none more so than captain Madaschi, midfielders Pritchard, Isaia, Moran, Vujasic, Catalano defenders Franz, O'Connell, Smith, striker Boland and goal keeper Dunn.
So that makes a core of 11. The ultimate challenge will be to find a quality and experienced centre half replacement for the almost ":irreplaceable" and certainly inspirational and highly respected Kovacevic. Secondly, we await the announcement of quality signings to add value to this list of core and critical players.
Finally the fans and supporters will remain patient with great anticipation to learn a little more about the qualities of this first time in the big time coaching group as they strive to leave their mark on the progress of Floreat Athena Football Club.
Blast from the Past
1987 Night Series
Grand Final So it was, Bayswater Inter and Floreat Athena, who would decide who would take the lions share of the prize money as well as the magnificent trophy. Bayswater a year ago in the 1986 Final were soundly beaten by Stirling Macedonia and were determined to erase that disappointment, but were up against Floreat Athena who were equally determined to give their coach, Kenny Worden, an opportunity of winning his ninth major title in Australia.
At the end of full and extra time the clubs could not be separated from a 1-1 score. This low scoring was mainly due to some tremendous goalkeeping by the two keepers, Chris Barbas and Steve Martin. It was shame that such a game had to be decided by shoot-outs, but then those are the rules. And it was Bayswater Inter who had the best score-line at the end as they converted three shootouts to Floreat Athena's two and went on to collect $12,500 and the Emu Export Night Soccer Series Trophy.
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