BORDER soccer identity Steve Hayes will have a say in the running of the sport in NSW after being appointed to one of the casual vacancies on the Football NSW board.
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In an amazing development that follows his recent George Churchward Medal — awarded in recognition of outstanding contribution to NSW soccer — Hayes was on Wednesday night named alongside former Socceroo Zeljko Kalac and legal guru Andrew Christopoulos as one of three new directors.
Hayes has had to relinquish his position as vice-president of the Albury-Wodonga Football Association.
That position will be voted on at the AWFA annual general meeting in December.
Hayes said he hoped to continue his involvement with the AWFA.
“It’s only happened in the last two days,” Hayes said yesterday.
“I don’t want to step away from the local scene.”
Hayes will be one of seven on the board of directors, which is led by president Jim Forrest.
Kalac comes to the board after a successful playing career that included 54 Socceroos caps and stints at AC Milan, Perugia and Leicester City, while Christopoulos brings a wealth of experience in law to the board.
Football NSW will fly Hayes to Sydney to attend more than a dozen meetings a year.
“Football NSW acknowledged the hard work and efforts Stephen Hayes has brought to the game which will see him bring a strong country and regional background to the board of Football NSW following his appointment,” Football NSW said.
AWFA president Craig McDonald said the appointment was a huge honour for Hayes and an endorsement of soccer in the North East and Riverina.
“It’s an absolute credit for Steve to be given the position. There’s not too many people get to the board,” McDonald said.
Hayes expects to be involved in a number of projects including the $70 million sporting centre development at Riverstone West.
“They haven’t had anybody on the board for a couple of years who has a country background,” he said.
“They just wanted to try and keep contact with the country. I thought it was a bit of an honour that I was asked.”
Meanwhile, Javi Martinez will have to wait a little longer to get the all-clear to coach St Pat’s, with a final decision not expected to be made until late next month.
