ELMER LACKNET BEDIA

Elmer Lacknet Bedia is a retired Australian-Filipino footballer who played for the Philippine Air Force FC, Brisbane Olympic United F.C. and the Philippines national team. Bedia was notable for being the first Filipino to play in Division I of Germany's professional league as well as in Australia.Bedia was named the Philippines' "Mr. Football" and was hailed as one of the top ten players in Australia in 1986. Bedia received the Achievement Award in 2011

​Personal Life

Elmer Bedia has been living in Australia since 1986. Elmer is married to Maria Theresa Salazar Bedia. Elmer and Maria Theresa had six children. Elmer moved to Australia at age 24 after he was signed by Brisbane Olympic United F.C. Clar, Elgin, Elmer Jr. and LA, Elmer Bedia's children are also players of the club. Elmer's son Loverney Pele plays for the U-16 Brisbane City F.C. as a central defender and for his school team St. Peter Claver College as a striker.

 

Career

Elmer Bedia played for Barotac Nuevo in the defunct National Football League. He was scouted during the Don Andres Soriano Memorial Cup where he was instrumental to his team's title win against San Miguel Corporation. He was signed to the Philippine Airforce F.C. at age 17.
Elmer Bedia was included in the Philippine national team's squad to the 1991 Southeast Asian Games. Bedia was instrumental to the Philippine team's upset win over Malaysia where he assisted the Philippines' sole and winning goal by Norman Fegidero.
Bedia also played for Brisbane Olmympic United F.C. for nine years.

 

Post-Retirement

Elmer Bedia is still involved in the Philippine's grassroot football program as a consultant to the Philippines' representatives to the Homeless World Cup, assisting Rudy del Rosario, his former teammate. He was recently being appointed as Greenbank Football Club Senior Coach for Men's Senior Team and also works full-time for Com Group company. He also launched the Elmer Lacknet Bedia Football Academy in his hometown Barotac Nuevo in March 30-31 2013 and currently extends his academy in Brisbane, Australia.