By JARROD POTTER
NAMED for City of Greater Dandenong sports super-fan, Dandenong Thunder and Dandenong City are set to battle it out on the soccer pitch for the newly announced Jim Memeti Cup.
Paying tribute to councillor Jim Memeti and his great passion for promoting local sporting clubs and causes, the FFV NPL2 East pair thought it fitting to name the trophy after the Red Gum Ward councillor.
Cr Memeti was humbled by the clubs naming the Dandenong derby cup in his honour and said it was something that never crossed his mind.
“(The clubs) are happy that I’ve committed so much to help at grass-roots football,” Cr Memeti said.
“I just feel it’s part of my job – I never set out to do things to have things named after me.”
Thunder and City are part of the region’s overwhelming love for the round-ball game – with more Greater Dandenong clubs registered with Football Federation Victoria than any other municipality in the state.
With the ever-growing love of sport in the area, Cr Memeti wants to see players of all ages feature in Greater Dandenong sports community and get a chance to shine on and off the field.
“I’ve had some opportunity to lay sport when I was young and I believe every kid should have that,” Cr Memeti said.
“If they want to play at the highest level they should have that chance.
“I’m passionate about sport and youth in sport and that’s what it’s all about – to make a difference.“
This is the first year that City and Thunder will face off in an FFV league-competition after Thunder was relegated to NPL2 East after seven seasons in the top flight.
Thunder has bounced back from its NPL relegation with power-packed roster guided by new coach Huss Skenderovic.
Dandenong City is also ready and raring for a big season after finishing third in last year’s NPL1 East competition (now renamed NPL 2 East).
City coach Aaron Healey has recruited well, snaring the signatures of Halil Gur, Jarrod Blackbourn, Enes Sivic, Chris Potter and Gonzalo Freddi.
The first Dandenong derby will be Saturday 27 February when Dandenong City hosts Dandenong Thunder at Frank Holohan Soccer Complex from 3pm.
