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John Sofarnos

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This weekend, we proudly celebrated the induction of Sue “Melli” Sofarnos (née Mellis) into the Australian Lacrosse Hall of Fame inaugural class - an honour accepted on her behalf by John Sofarnos.

This recognition reflects only Melli’s extraordinary achievements as a player - a legacy that shaped generations and helped define Australian women’s lacrosse.

From picking up a stick at age 10 with Newport, inspired by her aunt, Melli’s rise from team mascot to world champion was driven by rare talent, fierce determination, and a deep love for the game. Wearing the black & gold for more than 300 games, she secured 12 State League Premierships (1977–1997) and became one of Newport’s most iconic club members.

On the national stage, Melli represented Victoria 16 times between 1977–1998, claiming three National Championships and serving as captain or vice-captain on seven of those occasions.

Internationally, she was a force. Melli competed in five consecutive World Cups (1982, 1986, 1989, 1993, 1997), captaining Australia in three. A pivotal contributor to Australia’s historic 1986 World Cup victory, she was named to the 1982 All-World Team, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest attackers to ever wear green and gold.

Awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2020 for her service to women’s lacrosse, Melli’s Hall of Fame induction immortalises a career defined by excellence, leadership, and passion.

Today, we honour Melli - a player who changed the game, inspired a community, and continues to shape the sport she loved.

#ALHOF #AussieLax #SueSofarnosFoundation #BeMoreLikeSue

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In Ithaca with my brother @johnsofarnos and my sister @catroy2, together for the first time on our ancestral island. Here, we are at the property bequeathed to us - a little slice of Ithaca on which the remains of our grandfather's childhood home stand, hovering over the gloriously beautiful village of Kioni.

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A recap of an incredible day at Melli’s Long Lunch Melbourne! 🥂

Thank you to 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 who made this day the success it was!

We are so appreciative of everyone’s support - we couldn’t do it without you, and we cannot wait to do it again next year!

In the meantime, we’d love to hear your feedback 👉🏼 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PXMSXTH

📸 @mrlarzo

#SueSofarnosFoundation #BeMoreLikeSue #MellisLongLunch #auswlax

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Thank you to the @theleveson for hosting our 2024-29 Strategic Planning Day!

Our agenda was centred around #BeMoreLikeSue and her motto of “What do we need? How do we get it?”

We’ve got lots of very exciting projects in the pipeline and cannot wait to make them a reality.

We hope you’ll join us on the journey!

#SueSofarnosFoundation

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We are thrilled to announce the addition of Sean Clarke & Stephanie Swann to the SSF Board!

They join John, Karen, Jess & Hayley at the helm of the Foundation.

We are excited for the future of women in lacrosse and are thankful to Sean and Steph for bringing their skills and experience to the table.

#SueSofarnosFoundation #BeMoreLikeSue

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What a privilege it was to be the guest speaker at the @suesofarnosfoundation event today! This incredible foundation is changing the lives of young women and is empowering them to pursue their dreams. I am honoured to have been a part of it

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We’re excited to announce the keynote speaker for our upcoming Melli’s Long Lunch is Jasmine Simmons.

Jasmine is a highly athletic, utility player, and after playing football as a junior, she made the switch to basketball and spent three years in the United States playing for Oregon State University, before moving back into footy.

After two seasons with Adelaide, recording eight games with the Crows, Jasmine recently arrived at Alberton through a trade ahead of the 2023 AFLW season to join Port Adelaide.

We are equally thrilled to confirm that Jasmine will be joined by our MC, Ben Hook - a former first class cricketer and an experienced sports columnist with News Limited, accomplished MC and public speaker.

Sue Sofarnos Foundation Chair and Melli’s husband, John will also be making the trip to Adelaide for the occasion!

Ticket sales close on Monday, so be sure to get in quick to avoid disappointment, if you haven’t already done so 👉🏼 https://thehighway.com.au/product/mellis-long-lunch-2/

#SueSofarnosFoundation #BeMoreLikeSue #MellisLongLunch #AUSWLAX

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SSF Chair, John Sofarnos, is in the USA for work and caught up with friends of the Foundation, John & Susie Trautwein of the Will To Live Foundation.

The Will To Live Foundation was founded in honour of Johnny & Susie’s son Will, and is dedicated to preventing teen suicide by improving the lives and the ‘Will To Live’ of teenagers everywhere through education about mental health and encouraging them to recognize the love and hope that exists in each other.

It’s OK not to be OK 💜

We’re incredibly grateful for their support of the Sue Sofarnos Foundation, as well as a very special friendship, formed through lacrosse!

#LifeTeammates #LTMs #WillToLive #LoveYaMan #Remember13 #SueSofarnosFoundation #BeMoreLikeSue

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An emotional moment for the Sofarnos family and the entire Australian lacrosse community 🫶🏻

Hayley is named MVP for a four-goal performance in Melli’s 1️⃣0️⃣ with the award presented by her Dad, John.

📸 @worldlacrosse

#AUSLAX

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The Sofarnos Family have reunited in Towson with SSF founder & chair, John, repping our latest BMLS range at the Opening Ceremony!

Hayley will wear Melli’s #10 when she finally plays at her first Senior World Championship, with the Aussie’s first game tonight against England.

Nothing makes us more proud than seeing the @auswlax women repping the green & gold this week. GO AUSSIES! 💚💛

#SueSofarnosFoundation #BeMoreLikeSue

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How wonderful was it to have a full house as John Sofarnos addressed the room at Sue Sofarnos Memorial Round, prior to the Victorian contingent of the Australian Women’s Lacrosse team receiving their blazers 🥹🐞✨

#SueSofarnosMemorialRound #MelliForever17

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One of the very few accolades missing from Melli's incomparable CV was finally acknowledged over the weekend when posthumous Life Membership to Lacrosse Australia was presented to the Sofarnos Family in honour of Sue's Outstanding Services & Significant Achievement to Australian Lacrosse.

✨ 9x Australian Women's Lacrosse World Cup campaigns (1978 - 2020)
✨ 5-time World Cup player (1982, 1986, 1989, 1993, 1997) 🥈🥇🥉🥉🥈
✨ 3-time World Cup Captain (1989, 1993, 1997)
✨ 2-time World Champion (1986 & 2005)
✨ All-World Team Member (1982)
✨ Assistant Coach (2005) 🥇
✨ Head Coach (2009) 🥈
✨ Squad Head Coach (2015-2016)
✨ Team Analyst (2017)
✨ General Manager (2019-2020)

“𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘦𝘸 𝘤𝘢𝘯.” - Stacey Morlang

#AUSLAX

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