The Australian football community today acknowledges the three members of the football family who have been recognised in the January 26 Honours List for their work as community leaders and contributors to the sport.
A stalwart in the ACT’s football community, former Capital Football CEO and Director Ivan Slavich AM was awarded a Member (AM) in the general division for his service to business, and to the community through governance and philanthropic endeavours including roles with Soldier On, the Australian War Memorial and Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Football administrator Peter Bacha OAM was distinguished for his service to football and the community with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in the general division. A founding member of Rydalmere Lions FC (Football NSW), Mr Bacha has provided more than 40 years of service to the club including in roles as President, coach and player. He is also a Life Member of Granville District Soccer and Football Association.
Sarkis Karam OAM joins Mr Bacha in the Order of Australia Medals General Division for his service to the Lebanese community of Sydney including as a founding member of formerly St Joseph’s Zgharta Soccer Club (now Rydalmere Football Club). Mr Karam’s association with football also spans more than four decades as a coach, player and volunteer.
Football Australia Chair, Anter Isaac, said: “On behalf of the Football Australia Board and Australian football community, I congratulate Ivan, Peter and Sarkis for their recognition in the national honours today.”
“With many decades of service to the game at the community level, these honours demonstrate the importance of volunteers in our football community and that their enormous efforts are appreciated not just at the local level.
“As Australia’s largest and most diverse participation sport, Football Australia is pleased to see those who have played an important community role provided with distinction today,” Isaac concluded.
HONOUR’S RECIPIENTS
- Ivan Roman Slavich AM (ACT): For significant service to business, and to the community through governance and philanthropic endeavours.
Football administrator Ivan Slavich AM has a decade long association with the game including roles with Capital Football as a former Chief Executive Officer, Director and A League 4 Canberra Bid Leader.
- Peter Bacha OAM (NSW): For service to football, and to the community.
For over four decades, Peter Bach OAM has been a passionate volunteer with Rydalmere Football Club (Rydalmere Lions FC) with several significant roles including as club president, coach and player. Mr Bacha’s work with the club and the local football community has seen him inducted as a Life Member for Rydalmere Football Club and the Granville District Soccer and Football Association. He was also named the City of Parramatta Local Citizen of the Year in 2011.
- Sarkis Chahine Karam OAM (NSW): For service to the Lebanese community of Sydney.
Sarkis Karam OAM’s association with football spans several decades as a Founding Member and former coach, player and volunteer with Rydalmere Football Club (formerly St Joseph’s Zgharta Soccer Club). Mr Karam was also named the St Joseph Soccer Club 2002 Person of the Year for his significant contribution.
