Australian football community leaders earn recognition on January 26 Honours List | Football Australia

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