Tara Murray
In 2021, Westvale Olympic was staring down the barrel of having to fold.
Fast forward to the end of the 2024 season and Westvale has secured second spot in FV state league 2 north-west and with it promotion into state league 1 for next season.
It will be the first time since 2005 that Westvale has been in state league 1.
Coach Bill Georgopoulos said there’s so much excitement in the club. The club secured second spot in the second last round.
“It was pretty much sealed for us on Friday night and we went into Saturday’s game knowing we didn’t have to even kick a ball to earn promotion,” he said.
“It was a bit surreal on Saturday. The last time we were in state league 1 in 2005 I was playing. For me to get the club back there, I didn’t think I would be able to achieve that in a short period of time.”
Georgopoulos said the club had been in a bit of a downfall since the early 2000s when it was in state league 1.
He said 2021 was the moment where things started to turn around.
“With a bit of hard work and anything is possible,” he said. “To get the club back in state league 1 in three years is amazing.
“We were going to fold and clubs were going to Brimbank council to take our facilities.
“We were in debt and going to fold.”
Westvale has been batting above its average all season in terms of resources and budget, but it has meant little come results.
Georgopoulos puts the success down to one thing.
“I’ve built a family there,” he said. “We’ve restructured the club and there’s more of a family feeling atmosphere in the change rooms.
“We don’t have the resources, but the culture is important. We have young players, hungry players who have helped us.
“Hopefully the boys can bring the same energy and hunger for next year.”
Westvale finishes its season on Saturday against Craigieburn City.
Georgopoulos said that they were hoping to enjoy the day and finish on a high.
It’s the second promotion the club has had in three years, having won state league 3 north-west in 2022.
“I want to enjoy this one,”he said. “Last time I just wanted to finish the season undefeated.
“We’ll reassess as a club in the next couple of weeks. There’s a few questions to be asked and a few things changing going forward.”
