On Saturday, we came together at the Sumner Park clubrooms to celebrate the 2024 season club awards.

Nominated by their peers, these awards honour the accomplishments of players, coaches, and volunteers from all areas of the club. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge their exceptional seasons.

Congratulations to all the winners!

Bruno Saico Award (Best and Fairest Junior Male player)
Jay Ryan

Best and Fairest Junior Female Player
Anika Silver

Rob Colla Award (Best and Fairest Senior Female Player)
Claudia Johns

Davd Baker Award (Best and Fairest Senior Male Player)
Aaron Burke

Pierre Venditti Golden Boot Award (Highest Female Goal Scorer)
Autumn Ellenbroek

Pierre Venditti Golden Boot Award (Highest Male Goal Scorer)
Louis Waters

Melissa Barbieri Medal – Goalkeeper of the Year
Bobby Noveski, Amir Nejati and Bernard Toomey (joint winners)

Coach of the Year
Nick Manduca and Luke Flood (joint winners)

Team Manager of the Year
Jane Scammell

D’Intino Award (Best Club Person)
George Pecchiar

The season is over, and the last match has been played. We can look back on a very successful year on the field, give credit to all our teams, and special acknowledgement to those who achieved great results in their leagues.

Our trophy haul this season was:

– Men’s State 3 North West Reserves – League premiers, for the second year in a row

– Men’s Metro 5 North West – League premiers and division runners up

– U17B West boys – League premiers, and U17B division champions

– U16B East boys – League premiers, U16B division finalists

– U13C boys – League runners up

Well done to all on your amazing results. Go Zebs! ❤️🦓

We are thrilled to announce two key appointments for the 2025 season.

Nick Manduca will be taking the helm as our State 3 Senior Men’s Coach. A former player at Brunswick Zebras, Nick’s appointment continues the historic ties between the Manduca family and the club. He has been instrumental in our recent successes, having coached the reserves to back-to-back league titles in 2023 and 2024. His leadership was vital in our promotion to State 3 in 2023, and he stepped in as caretaker coach for the senior men during a challenging 2024 season, showcasing his resilience and commitment to the team.

Andrew DePetro has been appointed as our State 2 Senior Women’s Coach for the upcoming season. With over 30 years of experience, Andrew brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our club. This year, he coached the Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School’s Girls Firsts team, leading them to become champions and undefeated in the Associated Grammar Schools of Victoria & Associated Public Schools of Victoria Sporting Competition. Andrew holds a Level B FIFA coaching license and has served as a coaching instructor for the FFV, in addition to being an accredited referee. His comprehensive understanding of the game will be invaluable as we strive for success in the upcoming season.

We are excited to welcome Nick and Andrew to their new roles and look forward to the positive impact they will have on our teams.

Go Zebras! 🦓💪

Massive congratulations to our U17 boys team who took out the U17B championship on Sunday with a narrow win in a very tight contest against south-east division premiers, Bentleigh United Cobras.

Our boys fell behind in the first half, but equalised shortly after half time when Tommy Walker seized a loose pass from the opposition’s keeper and scored a stunner from outside the box.

With scores locked at 1-1 at full time, and still no score after the first period of extra time, the match seemed destined to be decided by a penalty shoot out. But with a few minutes remaining, speedy winger Zain Dib popped up to put the finishing touch on a great team goal.

The boys held out for the last few nervous minutes to be very worthy champions and preserved their unbeaten record in 2024. ♥🦓

Congratulations to our Metro 5 men’s team who sealed their league title on Sunday with a 3-0 win away in extremely windy conditions against Hoppers Crossing. Going into the match, the group knew that only a win would be enough to leapfrog their closest rivals, who they have been neck and neck with all season.

This team includes players who’ve been with the club since U10s, and – in coach Kevin Thomas – a leader who has coached at Zebras since 2010, first with U12 girls, and with title winning teams of U16 boys, Metro 6 men and now the Metro 5s as well.

The team has had many absences due to injuries this season and has been able to welcome six players from our U17 boys team into the playing group at different stages of the year. The youngsters have made significant contributions all over the pitch, and have gained invaluable experience as they start their journey into the Zebras senior ranks.

Another day, another title-winning team to celebrate … our U16B boys now have an unassailable lead in their league with one match to play, after defeating close rival Oakleigh Cannons on Sunday.

Knowing that a win would be enough to seal the league, the team took the lead with less than 20 minutes to play. When Oakleigh equalised it looked like the match was heading for a draw only for Oscar Mavropoulos to score the winner with a minute to play. Massive congrats to the team on their amazing season.

Along with our other league-winning teams, they will play finals over the coming weeks to determine the winner of the city-wide championship. Go Zebs! ♥🦓

We promised a huge one at Sumner on Saturday and the day didn’t disappoint. In the earlier kick off, the reserve’s win secured the league title, making it back-to-back championships for the rezzies. Huge congrats to the whole group.

In the main match the seniors secured a 2-0 win over Bundoora built on a dominant first half. The win, combined with results elsewhere, means that our first team are safe from relegation. Well done lads!

The atmosphere at Sumner was immense, thanks to all our supporters for urging the teams on. And it was great to see our friends from Kappa Australia and Stomping Ground Brewing Co among the crowd, lending their voices and willing the boys to victory. Forza Zebs! ♥🦓

Last Thursday night the club’s volunteers gathered at the home base of our partner Stomping Ground Brewing Co for a night of mutual thanks and congratulations on a successful season spent helping our 38 teams get onto the pitch and enjoy their football.

Of extra special note are two of our outgoing volunteers, husband and wife team Kevin and Robyn Thomas. The Thomases have been mainstays of the club for well over a decade, occupying roles including coach, team manager, committee member, director, club secretary, club administrator, facilities manager and probably many others.
Robyn has been on speed dial for many of you for years, helping you sort out your registrations, team entries, awards, team photographs, refs’ payments and so, so much more. Some of you may not know that Robyn has also been honoured by Football Victoria, who named her volunteer of the year in 2022, chosen from among candidates from 100s of clubs across the state.

Kevin has played a pivotal role in raising the bar for the club’s facilities and programs, including countless hours of liaison with council and builders on the redevelopment of the rooms at Balfe, and the more recent project of revitalising Sumner Park’s clubrooms and building new change room facilities. Our home grounds are unrecognisable compared to their old incarnations, and are now something of which the whole club and community can be proud.

Robyn and Kevin, you will be missed, more than you will know! But we’ll all do our best to build on your legacy.

Thanks to Stomping Ground for a great night, and just as importantly thanks to all our volunteers for their tireless work. You make the whole club tick and there would literally be no club without you. ♥🦓

Huge congratulations to our U17B boys team who wrapped up their league title on Sunday with two matches to spare.

The team has had an amazing season and includes many players who have grown up within walking distance of Sumner and Balfe. Some have been at Zebras since the age of five, and playing competitively for the club since U8s.

Also this season, some players in the group were able to take their first steps on their senior football journey. The future for our men’s teams is looking bright. Forza Zebs! ♥️🦓

Our annual Brunswick Zebras Trivia Night fundraiser was held last Friday night at the Sumner Clubrooms.

It was a great night of fun and community building for the club. MCs Kim and Milo kept the unruly crowd under control and presided over a win for ‘The Giraffes’, a table made up of players from the State 4 women’s squad.

Bonus points were awarded for improvised Olympic-style events, with the ‘toilet pommel’ winning out over the ‘trestle table luge’ and some other dubious ideas.

Our state league men got their first points of the season in a spirited win against Heidelberg Eagles in front of a vocal home crowd at Sumner Park.

After both teams scored in the first half, much of the match was an arm-wrestle searching for the winner.

Ben Adams thought he had netted the go-ahead goal with a screamer from distance, but it was chalked off in controversial circumstances. Soon after, Marty Raines popped up with the decisive goal and our boys held out for the remainder of the match, eventually hearing the final whistle that felt like it would never come. Great win for the lads!

⚽ Pappas
⚽ Raines

In the earlier match, our reserves dropped their first points of the season, narrowly defeated in a high quality encounter. Despite the loss, they occupy second place on the table and look set for another very strong season. 🦓♥

Just in time for tomorrow’s first home league game at Sumner Park, we’re very proud to announce a new collaboration with our major partner Stomping Ground Brewing Company: Zebras Italian Pilsner.

This delightful brew will be pouring in the Sumner clubrooms from tomorrow. Come by and give it a try!

Saturday Skillz is resuming this Saturday morning, 10.30am-12noon at Sumner Park.

Please note, our enrolment is currently FULL and we are taking names for a waiting list.

If you have registered, please note that your place will only be held if payment has been made.

Thanks all, looking forward to seeing our little Zebs on Saturday.

Brunswick Zebras is very pleased to announce the club’s senior coaching roster for season 2024.

Women’s State League 1
Seniors: Nathan Heard
Reserves: Steph Alexopoulos

Women’s State League 4: Kosta Siavelis

Men’s State League 3
Seniors: David Lugli
Reserves: Nick Manduca

Men’s Metropolitan League 1: Philip Tang
Men’s Metropolitan League 5: Kevin Thomas

Men’s Metropolitan League 9: Filipe Vilches

Thank you to everyone who has submitted EOIs for this season. We have had overwhelming levels of interest from existing players as well as those new to the club, which points to a strong and healthy future for our senior program. Go Zebs!

Not a bad haul for season 2023!

We’ll be very proudly adding these new pennants to the collection in the Sumner Park clubrooms.

Congratulations again to the Mens State League 4 Reserves for winning their league, and to the Mens State League 4 Seniors for their second place finish, and promotion. Great work also by the Metro 2 Men, Boys U16B and Boys U15C for their second place finishes.

Go Zebs! ❤️🦓

Brunswick Zebras is on the lookout for a coach for our Metropolitan 1 men’s team. This team have been high achievers since their inception five years ago, boasting a mix of young talented players and ex-state league players.

The position will need to work within the current senior men’s structure and support our state league setup where required as well as push our top metropolitan team.

Training expected on Wednesday nights and matches on Sundays.

Contact us on admin@brunswickzebras.com.au or click here and submit an expression of interest.

Last Friday night our senior men’s and women’s teams gathered to celebrate the season and recognise the outstanding achievers from their playing groups.

It was a great night to catch up after a few weeks off after the intense and action-packed end to the season for our senior teams.

And now for the winners. Drum roll please …

Women’s State League 1
Coaches Award: Katie Polus
Most Improved: Talana Bonello
Highest Goal Scorer: Mailligh Tomlin
Player’s Player: Mailligh Tomlin

Women’s State League 1 Reserves
Coaches Award: Eirini Kosmidis

Women’s State League 4
Best and Fairest: Lily Zavattiero
Players player: Angie Sun

Men’s State League 4
Best and Fairest: Lindsay Gust
Players player: Tai Naughton
Top goalscorer: Max Gust

Men’s State League 4 Reserves
Best and Fairest: Monib Bellahcene
Players player: Theo streader
Top goalscorer: Jack O’Dwyer

Men’s Metro 2
Best and Fairest: Alexander Meibusch
Players player: Michael Del Tondo
Top goalscorer: Jacob Abbey

Men’s Metro 5
Best and Fairest: Alessandro Czarny
Players player: Alessandro Czarny
Top goalscorer: Alessandro Czarny

Men’s Metro 9
Best and Fairest: Matt Quinn
Players player: Dayne Johnston
Top goalscorer: Oliver Caruanna

The season may have only just finished, but our juniors and miniroos have already celebrated their achievements at the end of season presentation day. The teams gathered for the handing out of medals, to give thanks to the coaches and team managers, and to bask in the joy of a satisfying season. As well as the juniors and miniroos teams awards, the club-wide awards were also presented.

The club’s premier individual award winners for 2023 are:

Bruno Saico Award (Best and Fairest Junior Player U12-U18) Jay Ryan
Rob Colla Award (Best and Fairest Senior Female Player) Rachel Young
Davd Baker Award (Best and Fairest Senior Male Player) Lindsay Gust
Pierre Venditti Golden Boot Award (Highest Female Goal Scorer) Mailligh Tomlin
Pierre Venditti Golden Boot Award (Highest Male Goal Scorer) Zachary Kings-Lyons
Melissa Barbieri Medal – Goalkeeper of the Year Talana Bonello
Best and Fairest Junior Female Player Holly Scammell
Best and Fairest Junior Male Player Yoshi Hanrahan-Chong
Coach of the Year David Lugli
Team Manager of the Year Jo Montesano
D’Intino Award (Best Club Person) Kim Silcock

Our State League men’s team are moving up in the world after a tense promotion play-off final win against West Side Strikers Caroline Springs FC on Saturday.

In contrast to the ten goal bonanza at last weekend’s semi-final, yesterday’s final was much tighter affair. Shortly after resuming from a goalless first half, Marty Raines scored what proved to be the winner, as the Zebras saw out the remainder of the match to run out deserved winners, and guaranteeing promotion.

The win see us return to State League 3 North West for the first time in eight years. Huge congratulations to first team coach David Lugli, and all the playing group. Forza Zebras!

Brunswick Zebras FC is pleased to announce the appointment of Nathan Heard as Head Coach for our State League Senior Women’s teams with immediate effect.

Nathan has had an  extensive career as a coach at the local State League levels over the last 2 decades. This includes a previous stint with the Brunswick Zebras FC, in collaboration with Rob Colla. Some would know him from this time, whereby he guided and developed our junior and senior programs with great esteem.

In addition we are delighted to announce that George Pecchair has also agreed to continue his connection with the club as liaison for the Senior Women’s teams in the 2024 season.

More information to follow. Very exciting times ahead!

Go Zebras.

A truly amazing weekend of football for our senior teams was capped off yesterday at Sumner Park when the State League 1 Women’s team staged a great escape to avoid relegation in the last few minutes of their season.

Starting the day three points and 5 GD adrift of safety, they played an amazing match running out 3-1 winners against Mill Park.

The third goal – scored in the 89th minute – proved to be the most important of all, as news of other results in the division filtered through after full time. Courtesy of the three points, and goals scored at Sumner and elsewhere, we had leapfrogged Geelong Rangers on goal difference and into safety by a solitary goal.

After a huge sigh of relief, our senior women’s team lives to fight another day in State League 1.

In the earlier match, the reserves had a 2-2 draw.

Our senior men are marching on to a play-off final after one of the most engrossing and action-packed matches in the club’s history.

Matched against Surf Coast FC, the Zebras conceded early in a topsy-turvy first few minutes, before racing to a 4-2 lead inside half an hour. We were pegged back to 4-4 at half time, and 4-5 early in the second half, but again equalised before missing some golden opportunities to finish the the match in regular time.

Two periods of extra time couldn’t find a winner, so the tie was decided on penalties with our boys eventually prevailing 5-4 in the shootout. It was a huge effort by by the entire group, and we now face one final step in the battle for promotion. Watch this space for news of the fixture.

Our Senior Men’s team will take on Surf Coast FC in the State League 4 play off semi final this Saturday, September 2nd.

After wrapping up second place in their league, the men will travel to Epping Stadium to continue their battle for promotion.

Kick off is 11am, and we hope to see a big contingent of travelling support. Go Zebs!

It was raining goals at Sumner Park on Saturday as the Senior Men’s Reserves confirmed the title with an 8-0 defeat of Thornbury Athletic.

Massive congratulations to the whole playing group, and to coach Nick Manduca, on their amazing season.

The goals didn’t stop there though, with the Senior Men running out 5–1 winners in the later match to confirm second place on the table at the end of the regular season.

We now await news of a potential promotion play off final. Watch this space!

The opening of the Sumner Park changerooms means the Zebras are “all set for boom in women’s and girls’ soccer” according to today’s piece in the Brunswick Voice.

To say thanks to all our valued volunteers, the club put on the hospitality at the venue of our sponsor, Stomping Ground, in Collingwood.

It was a great chance to catch up and celebrate all our work this season, and mix with club volunteers from all of our different age groups and programs.

Thanks to Stomping Ground for a great night.

Our grand re-opening of Sumner Park – ​to recognise the completion of ​the ​new female-friendly change rooms and refurbished clubrooms – took place on Saturday and it was great to see so many of you there.

There was lots of food, fun and football, as we hosted two senior men’s matches in between the festivities, and then in the evening we switched on the big screens on in the clubrooms for the Women’s World Cup matches between Sweden and Italy, and France and Brazil.

Thanks to everyone who came down, and all at the club for the work that went into putting on this important celebration.

When Matildas star Sam Kerr was just a kid, when the inaugural A-League Women’s season was still years away, and when a World Cup on Australian soil was a fanciful idea, a mob of mature Melbourne women threw caution, asthma inhalers and orthopaedic inserts to the wind and formed a team to play in the lowest division of the metropolitan league.

As their coach, author Paul Connolly, documents in this hilarious and heartwarming memoir, the Mighty ’Bras, as this Brunswick Zebras team became known, fell in love with a game; a love more intense for its late blossoming. More importantly, these footballing novices discovered that their seemingly whimsical adventure turned out to be so much more, and forged lasting friendships and a sense of community that made all the bumps, bruises and calamitous losses worthwhile.

The revised paperback edition will be available from July 27 from your local bookshop (RRP $24.99) or online retailers (Amazon AU, Booktopia, The Nile). Also available as an eBook.

Image courtesy of Paul Connolly.

We are are very proud to be partnering with Stomping Ground Brewery during the Women’s World Cup to sell their limited-edition ‘Golden Boot’ lager.

We’ll have it on tap at Sumner Park for the duration of the World Cup, including during our Matilda’s viewing parties.

Hope to see you there!

Term 3 will resume on Saturday, 15th July 2023 @ 10.30 am.

There are still places available, but don’t leave it too late, numbers are limited!

If you have any questions, please email us.

We look forward to seeing you back at Sumner!