Football and Greek School - a Potent Mix

Football and Greek School - a Potent Mix

‘If Mohammad won’t go to the mountain, then the mountain must come to Mohammad’ is the best way to explain the Greek Community of Melbourne’s latest initiative according to Board member Dr Nick Dallas who oversees education matters. ‘I’ve been involved in junior soccer at Greek clubs through my children for so many years, and it’s always astounded me how so few of the young players of Greek background go to Greek school. It’s not like there must be a choice, one or the other, both can be pursued’ exclaimed GCM president Bill Papastergiadis. Maria Bakalidou, the principal of the Community’s Schools highlighted that ‘one of our primary missions is to expand and facilitate access to Greek language learning to everyone in Victoria. I’m really excited about this novel and radical initiative’.

This is modern day reality, parents are sending their children to so many extra-curricular activities after school (dance, sport, music, tutorials) that both children and parents get overwhelmed. And as the demands of a particular activity get greater, eventually an activity is dropped. Too often it’s language learning as it’s not being prioritized by parents. Sport often involves 2-3 weekday evenings of training and matches on the weekend. Throw in another activity and the week becomes quite hectic.

This is an issue that has been on the radar for the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) for several years, as it’s always looking at new initiatives to stem the attrition of Greek language enrolments. One might have a theoretical concept but how do you actualize it? How does one come up with an execution strategy that will both viable, sustainable, and easy to execute. The Community believes it has found a solution and will be commencing a pilot program in the next few weeks. It has teamed up with Malvern City Football Club, a club with over 500 junior players to test the waters. Participation by the players is voluntary and the club has received sufficient encouraging feedback from parental questionnaires to proceed. The football club will flip its change rooms to classrooms and expose its junior players to 40-50 minutes of Greek language learning before or after training commences.

According to Malvern City FC technical director Strati Xynas, “we’re really excited about this development and partnering with the GCM. My philosophy has always been about developing the whole player not just football skills. It’s important for us to maintain our culture and roots, and this is an innovative partnership that makes so much sense on many levels. Families find it so hard to find time to fit everything in during the week”. “Community engagement is of paramount importance to us, and we do want to offer a point of differentiation to parents. It’s a great initiative and keeps Malvern FC at the forefront of football in Victoria.” added Malvern president James Ballas.