Akis Ionnas: The target never changes, it’s the top

As the saying goes, down each successful sports club, there is an bonzer idiosyncratic tirelessly working down the scenes.

And successful the lawsuit of the Oakleigh Cannons, that idiosyncratic is nary different than the singular Akis Ionnas.

With a fervent dedication and unwavering support, Ionnas has undoubtedly earned himself the title of the Cannons’ backbone, a title that helium wears with pride.

As the wide manager, helium not lone plays an indispensable relation successful the success of the Greek-Australian club, but helium besides embodies the spirit and values of the tight-knit assemblage that is the Oakleigh Cannons.

Whether it’s done his exceptional enactment oregon his unwavering emotion for the team, Ionnas has cemented his spot successful the hearts of each those associated with the Cannons. After all, it’s not conscionable a club, but a family.

This is something that Ionnas emphasises astatine each opportunity.

“The committee whitethorn beryllium unchanged, but that is due to the fact that we are similar a tight-knit family. And with the unwavering support of our astonishing sponsors and devoted fans, I indispensable accidental we person truly cemented Cannons arsenic the top team successful each of Victoria. Our success tin beryllium attributed to the seamless moving of things some connected and disconnected the field. From the rising stars of our inferior team under the guidance of Mr. Yiannis Kostopoulos, who ne'er fails to impressment with his hard working spirit, to the seasoned veterans connected our elder team who person racked up an awesome fig of achievements successful caller years. So here’s a large circular of applause to our dedicated team, some connected and disconnected the field, for making the Cannons the powerhouse that we are today.”

The operation of the caller sports facilities astatine Jack Edwards Reserve is simply a monumental step towards the aboriginal of the club.

“I americium beyond excited for the caller facilities that will σύντομα grace our stadium. The thought of elegant upstairs rooms and a state-of-the-art property country permission maine perfectly thrilled. But it’s not conscionable astir appearances, this improvement will truly elevate our game. With dedicated spaces for antithetic functions, our team will person everything they request to scope their afloat potential. It’s not conscionable astir the economical benefits, though those are surely a plus. What truly excites maine is the imaginable this caller format holds for our club. From a fully-equipped gym to a top-notch edifice and offices, this installation will person it all. I can’t wait to spot the finished merchandise and I person nary uncertainty it will beryllium cleanable successful each way. It’s an unthinkable step guardant for our club.”

Akis Ionnas believes that the Cannons are the champion shot nine successful Victoria. Photo: Supplied

The caller season’s roster is expected to person important changes compared to the 1 that won the title successful 2024.

“There will beryllium some changes. Valentini is nary longer with us, but we person already recovered a replacement for him who, successful my idiosyncratic opinion, is better. His sanction is John Knowles and helium played for us successful 2022. He is an unthinkable shot subordinate and a wonderful young man. We person signed him for a three-year declaration and I americium assured that helium will execute large things successful our team. Wellsmore, Kubilay, and Bisetto person besides left, but similar successful Stefano’s case, we person already recovered replacements for them, on with our manager and Giannis Ioannou. We person signed Campbell Strong, a 22-year-old player, Matthew Dench from the English Under-21s team Charlton, Duratovic from Victory, and Bayew from Green Gully. Additionally, we person secured different subordinate from England, but we will denote his sanction adjacent month.”

But the additions this year will not beryllium constricted lone to the field.

“There will beryllium caller additions to the club’s absorption team. Specifically, we purpose to adhd women to the committee to lend to the enactment and amended its distinctiveness. It is important to person caller perspectives and caller ideas successful immoderate organization. We will marque announcements regarding these changes successful the adjacent future.”

Ionnas holds a large woody of respect for Chris Taylor, the team’s coach. He believes that Taylor was the main crushed for the club’s success successful the 2024 season.

“Chris Taylor is the existent MVP of coaches successful Victoria. This feline has got game, and it’s not conscionable constricted to the field. With an extended track grounds of winning titles, helium has proven clip and clip again that he’s got the skills and the strategy to bring location the silverware. And fto maine tell you, helium whitethorn beryllium a humble individual, but he’s got much acquisition than astir coaches could imagination of. Chris Taylor truly is simply a mastermind, and I bow down to his coaching prowess.”

Which clubs bash you think will star this year and what is his sentiment of the different Greek Australian teams?

“Hume has caught my oculus arsenic a worthy adversary for our team. The guys astatine Heidelberg United look to cognize what they’re doing and I person nary uncertainty they’ll springiness us a tally for our wealth successful the upcoming 2025 season. Despite their awesome tally successful the regular play and the Australian Cup past season, I can’t assistance but consciousness South Melbourne will stay successful the aforesaid lackluster playing state they’ve been successful for the past fewer seasons. Let’s beryllium real, they’re each astir those escaped throws and I highly uncertainty they’ll stray from that method. As for the Port Melbourne Sharks, I indispensable admit I haven’t been keeping up with their latest news. But 1 thing’s for sure, adjacent season’s title will beryllium 1 hellhole of a conflict with each these talented teams duking it retired for the top spot. Bring it on.”

The feeling helium has successful narration to the latest developments successful the substance of the 2nd nationalist tier is positive.

“At the extremity of adjacent year, our facilities will beryllium ready. If we decorativeness successful archetypal spot again, we will beryllium capable to enactment successful the Champions League arsenic I telephone it. If we decorativeness successful the top spot, we will motion the CPA and articulation the tournament. We person everything we request – a large pitch, a strong team, and afloat availability of our facilities 12 months a year. Our committee is united and our sponsors and fans are afloat supportive. This tournament is simply a affirmative step forward, but we indispensable wait and spot if it will really statesman and however it will progress.”