Yianni Zaparas

Candidate Statement

Yianni Zaparas

 

My name is Yianni Zaparas and I make this statement in support of my nomination to be elected as a Football Victoria Director 2021.

Outside of my family and my career, my one true passion has always been football.

As a Junior player in Victoria, I have many fond memories of playing for local clubs, including Glen Waverley (now Eastern Lions), Clarinda (now Kingston City), and later in my teen years, Heidelberg United reserve team, South Melbourne reserve team, and Collingwood Warriors reserve team (National League as it once was).  

My playing days ended when I decided to focus all my energies towards my career, as a lawyer. In addition to a Bachelor of Laws from Monash University, I also have a Bachelor of Commerce from Monash.

I am a Partner of Zaparas Lawyers, a firm founded by my father 40 years ago. Zaparas Lawyers is a leading Personal Injury Practice, with 7 offices throughout Victoria and over 150 staff.  

I’m extremely proud of the work our firm does for those members of the community affected by injury. The deep-seeded and abiding care we have for our clients has been our guiding principle for over 40 years, and remains central to our values along with the care of our people and of our community.

The Football Community of Victoria has always held a special place for me. It is within this community that I and the firm have been proudly engaged over the years through sponsorship and interaction with many clubs, including supporting Football Victoria’s Community in Business functions since their inception.  

Zaparas Lawyers has, over the past decade, been a significant sponsor, ranging from major sponsorships, to minor sponsorships, of a myriad of teams within Victoria. It’s with utmost sincerity that I can say, the driving desire to have done so over the years, has not been one of the firm’s marketing exposure but rather, the advancement of the code.

If voted to be a Director of Football Victoria, I will strive to support the advancement Football in Victoria. I have always haboured a desire to see Football engrained in our community, through participation and passion for the sport - to see the sport flourish even further. Football boasts leading participation numbers, but I don’t believe this is mirrored in its overall success as a code. This is an area where I believe I can help.

My Responsibilities at Zaparas Lawyers

  • To ensure the continued growth of a vibrant law firm generating over $40million dollars in revenue annually
  • Marketing and Business development of the Firm;
  • Staying across all facets of Management Reporting;
  • Meeting weekly with an Executive leadership Team to chart the direction and manage risks for the firm; such meetings are of course prepared for with Agendas and minutes are recorded;
  • Human resource management, including recruitment and the driving of an inspiring culture;
  • Active involvement in hundreds of personal injury cases per year, many of which involve litigation.


Other relevant experience

  • FFV Tribunal member for a period of approximately 3 years from approximately 2006 –2009

The near future presents a very exciting period for football. Australia is preparing to co-host the FIFA Women’s World Cup, ensuring great exposure for football in the lead up, during and beyond. I’m hopeful that Football Victoria can harness this excitement and progress the game in many communities and households. It would be an honour to serve the Board.     

Kindest regards,

Yianni Zaparas