The Sydney FC A-League squad returned to start Pre Season training on Monday 16^th July and have gotten straight to work on the Sydney FC Community Program.

The players will be balancing hard work as they gain fitness ahead of the 2012/13 A-League season with Small-Sided-Games Gala days, Junior Club Awards Dinners and junior team training sessions all over Sydney.

Over the next two weeks, Sydney FC players, including Terry McFlynn, Nick Carle, Pascal Bosschaart and Adam Griffiths will make 16 Community visits, totalling 45 hours in the Sydney Football Community.

On the 4^th August the team travels to Bankstown to Marco Reserve, Panania to watch the U7’s small sided games. The visit will take place between 9am - 11am where the players will be available for photographs and signing autographs on the day. Terry Antonis, a Georges Hall local will also be in attendance to return to the area he played much of his youth football.

“We’re delighted that the Sydney FC Community Program has restarted after the players enjoyed a well-earned break between seasons,” said Sydney FC Chief Executive Officer Tony Pignata. “There’s no time to rest and the players will be straight into the visits along with our Community staff.

“Our players are role models in the Community and they will all be spending time with junior football players while preparing for the season ahead.”

BDAFA president Harry Sklavenitis agreed that it was a great opportunity for the local community to meet and greet the players. “We are excited to have Sydney FC visit the Bankstown community. It’s great that the club continues to develop strong connections with the grassroots and this is a great way to support that and also for the community to see the Sydney FC boys up close and personal and wish them all the best for the 2012/13 season.”