Off the Pitch Podcast: Nick Maikousis on South Melbourne FC

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Credit: South Melbourne FC

In episode eight of Soccerscene’s Off the Pitch podcast, South Melbourne FC President Nick Maikousis joins the show to talk about his role and experience at the club.

South Melbourne Football Club is an Australian semi-professional soccer club that currently competes in the National Premier Leagues Victoria.

Maikousis has served as president of South Melbourne FC since taking on the role at the end of 2018.

On the podcast, Maikousis shared his journey from serving as a board member of the club to eventually taking on the role of president.

“So I joined the board in about 91, or probably a little later than that, but thereabouts and I was working in Adelaide briefly for a period of time when we came back to Melbourne and decided to get involved,” he said.

“I became vice president relatively quickly and I had a lot of success at the time, Ange was our senior coach, our manager and I was vice president and we had some wonderful, wonderful times during that period.

“And then reconnected with the club after a few years when my son got his license and was taking himself to training, which freed me up and got involved again and fast forward many, many years, I’ve been president now for about 7 or 8 years I think it is, so it’s been a long journey.”

Maikousis also reflected on South Melbourne FC’s transition from the National Soccer League (NSL) to the Victorian Premier League (VPL). 

“It was difficult for the club at the time, I had been out of the picture for about a year or so at that stage, although I was still following the club, I wasn’t actively involved at board level, but I was certainly part of the process to try and save the club again,” he said.

“Because right until late in the picture, South was very much considered to be part of the A- League moving forward, It was only towards the end of that process I think the board realised it wasn’t going to be part of it so there was a lot of last minute decision making that took place.

“Clubs like South and Knights, who were trying to get back in there (VPL) from the NSL, found it difficult.

“Again, I wasn’t heavily involved at board level, or in the management level at the time, but it wasn’t easy, we were losing a lot of players to lots of other clubs.”

To learn more about his role at South Melbourne FC, listen to the full interview with Nick Maikousis on episode eight of Soccerscene’s Off the Pitch Podcast – available on all major podcasting apps.

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Football Pro Directory Launches as Australia’s New Digital Hub for the Football Industry

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Image Credit: One-Nil Media

As Australian football continues to expand across grassroots, NPL and professional levels, a new platform is aiming to connect the entire ecosystem in one central place.

Football Pro Directory has officially launched as a dedicated online hub designed to bring together clubs, governing bodies, suppliers, service providers and industry professionals from across the Australian football landscape.

Part of the One-Nil Media family, the platform has been built to simplify how football organisations discover trusted partners, access resources and grow meaningful industry connections.

At a time when clubs are navigating increasing operational demands both on and off the pitch, Football Pro Directory provides a streamlined destination for organisations seeking support across areas such as coaching, technology, media, sponsorship, infrastructure, equipment, medical services and fan engagement.

The platform also offers businesses and organisations the opportunity to elevate their visibility within the football industry through premium listings, tailored campaigns and feature-driven storytelling designed to connect directly with decision-makers across the game.

From grassroots clubs searching for operational support to professional organisations looking for specialist services, Football Pro Directory has been positioned as a practical tool built specifically for the realities of modern football administration.

Backed by Soccerscene’s established football media network, the directory combines industry exposure with educational resources and business opportunities, helping organisations strengthen their presence within Australia’s rapidly evolving football ecosystem.

The platform features categories spanning football clubs, professional services, football technology, media and marketing, photography, medical providers and equipment suppliers, alongside resources focused on grants, facilities, coaching, sponsorship and industry innovation.

As football increasingly embraces digital transformation and interconnected industry networks, Football Pro Directory arrives as a platform designed to make collaboration, visibility and growth more accessible across every level of the game.

To explore the platform or list your organisation, visit Football Pro Directory.

Female Football Week kicks off across Northern NSW

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Image Credit: Shutterstock

Female Football Week has officially begun across Northern NSW, with a program of gala days, networking events and awards ceremonies running until Sunday May 17, marking a ten-day celebration that organisers say reflects both the growth of women’s football in the region and the work still required to sustain it.

The national initiative, now a fixture on the football calendar, provides a dedicated period of visibility for female participants across all levels of the game from players, coaches, referees to volunteers, whose contributions have historically received less recognition than their male counterparts.

NNSWF Participation and Women’s Football Officer Serena Carter said the week offered something for everyone connected to women’s football in the region.

“Female Football Week provides a fantastic chance to highlight the dedication and skill of female players, coaches, referees and volunteers across the northern NSW community,” Carter said. “There’s something for everyone to enjoy, from grassroots participants to elite competitors.”

Women’s football in northern NSW spans remote and regional communities where clubs operate on limited resources, alongside more established metropolitan programs with clearer development pathways. Female Football Week creates a moment of shared recognition across that spectrum and acknowledges the role volunteers play, from running the canteen to progressing through the pathway.

Northern NSW Football has recorded some of its strongest participation numbers in women’s and girls’ football in recent seasons, a trend that has placed increasing pressure on clubs and facilities to keep pace. The week’s events offer clubs an opportunity to showcase their commitment to diversity and inclusion at a time when that commitment is being tested by growth.

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