The extraordinary life and career of former Socceroos and National Soccer League (NSL) Head Coach Rale Rasic OAM will be celebrated at 2pm AEST throughout a special live stream that will be shared on the Socceroos鈥 and FFA official Facebook page.
, football fans across the nation and around the world will be able to tune in to the stream which has been organised by Harry Michaels OAM 鈥 a long-serving contributor to Australia鈥檚 football media, as well as TV director and actor.
to watch the live tribute on Facebook and hit "Get Reminder" to be notified when the broadcast goes live.
The broadcast will reflect on Rasic鈥檚 influence in and on the game at both national and local levels, and will be hosted by respected football journalist and commentator, Andy Paschalidis.
Paschalidis will be joined by a variety of guests including former Socceroos Alex Tobin, Adrian Alston, Max Tolson, Jim Fraser, and of course, Australia鈥檚 first ever FIFA World Cup coach, Rasic.
Michaels recently wrote to Football Federation Australia (FFA), alerting FFA鈥檚 board and management to the initiative, and noted that he was inspired to put together a tribute for Rasic after witnessing a reflective piece highlighting the contribution of the 1974 Socceroos to Australia鈥檚 football history.
鈥淭he recent video the FFA media team delivered showcasing the contribution of the 1974 Socceroos team and its coach Rale Rasic triggered a somewhat emotional reaction from me,鈥 Michaels said.
鈥淭he historic 1974 World Cup team literally put football on the map into the broad mainstream in Australia.
鈥淚t is my desire to honour Rale鈥檚 contribution to the game at both national and local levels, and I believe that this is a great opportunity to salute an iconic member of the football family and at the same time provide football fans around the world another positive, feel good story about Australian football.
鈥淚 would like to acknowledge Stefan Kamasz who has worked so tirelessly to help organise this event,鈥 he said.
FFA Chief Executive Officer James Johnson applauded the initiative and said that it was an example of a way that the recently launched 鈥榅I Principles for the future of Australian football鈥 was being brought to life.
鈥淭his is a great example of football people working together to celebrate great moments and contributors to our game鈥檚 history,鈥 Johnson said.
鈥淚 applaud Harry Michaels and everyone involved with the project, which will run for two hours and offer a variety of people involved with Australian football鈥檚 rich history the chance to share their stories about Rale鈥檚 immense contribution to the game.
鈥淭he acknowledgement of Australia鈥檚 football history is an important feature in the 鈥榅I Principles for the future of Australian Football鈥 discussion paper released last week, so it is timely that we have the chance to support this initiative which will celebrate Rale and several decades of the sport.
鈥淩ale and many others fought hard for recognition of the game in an era in which it was not accepted in the mainstream Australian sporting landscape,鈥 he said.
Rale Rasic, who is 84, was the Head Coach of the Socceroos between 1970 and 1974. Throughout that period he coached the Socceroos in 33 鈥楢鈥 international matches, with Australia winning 16 games, drawing 10, and losing just seven encounters.
Rasic was also a prominent figure throughout NSL era, coaching clubs such as Marconi Stallions, Adelaide City, South Melbourne FC, APIA Leichhardt, and Canberra Cosmos.
Rasic was an inaugural inductee of the FFA Hall of Fame, and is also a Member of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
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