Madeleine Horey

Madeleine “Mads” Horey was awarded Melbourne University Soccer Club life membership in December 2020.

This membership recognises Madeleine’s outstanding contribution to the club over 16 years. During that time, Madeleine served on the Board, was a committee member, played and coached for the club.

Madeleine contributed to a culture that has lived on since she has stopped playing – fostering a community spirit and ensuring that every player in any team deserved to play soccer in an enjoyable environment.

Madeleine also had an exceptional playing career – with over 200 games and numerous club and varsity awards. As a goalkeeper and striker, Madeleine competed in the former Women’s Premier League, many State League 1 teams and won many championships with seniors and reserves.

Player

Mads joined MUSC in 2001. During her playing career at the club she played as both a goalkeeper and a striker. Mads was ruthless in front of goal, netting a great many goals with her swift turn and expert placement of shots. She was also a very talented goalkeeper and in many of her seasons at the club was GK of the first team.

In 2014, after some time out recovering from ankle surgery, Mads achieved her 200 game milestone. Mads played a total of 208 games for Melbourne Uni. Over her career, Mads won numerous club awards including the Maria Berry Players’ Player of the Year.

With the arrival of her daughter, Mila, Mads called time on her MUSC playing career in 2015.

Australian University Games

Mads was a major contributor to the Melbourne Uni women’s team entries at the Australian University Games from 2003 to 2010. She was team manager during many of those tournaments and largely responsible for the recruitment and organisation of the women’s teams. Mads coached the Women’s AUG team in 2011.

Mads received a University of Melbourne Full Blue award in 2005 and again in 2006. In 2009, Mads received a Green and Gold selection.

Coach

Mads coached the Women’s State League 4 team (2012-13), State League 1 Reserves (2015) and Women’s State League 3 team in 2017.

Volunteer

Mads joined the committee in 2004 as a general member and went on to serve in various roles every until the end of the 2017 season. This included years when Mads was no longer a player or coach at the club.

Mads served as women’s secretary and a board member from 2012-2015, and again in 2017. In 2016, Mads took on the Vice President role despite having recently had her daughter Mila.

When Mads joined the club in 2001, the women’s division was a close knit group of two teams. During her time of involvement the club swelled to 6 teams. Despite this huge growth, Mads always fostered that same community and togetherness spirit within the women’s teams. As secretary and VP, she knew every player’s name and team. She was heavily involved in the social organisation of the club and would make a great effort to get new players along to events so as to make them feel part of the club.

As the club grew it also became more successful and competitive at a high level. Mads felt strongly that as well as providing an opportunity to play at a high level, the club still needed to provide an option for beginner players, and less competitive players. Mads’ strong sense of equality and fairness for all members made sure the club provided an inclusive environment and that nobody was disadvantaged.

Summary

• Club Players’ Player of the Year (2012)
• 12 years on committees between 2004 – 2017 and 7 years on the Board
  • 6 years as women’s Secretary (2009-10, 2012-15, 2017)
  • Vice President (2016)
• 208 matches as a player
  • Numerous golden boot awards
  • Numerous team players’ player awards, including Women’s State League 1 Players’ Player (2014)
• 4 seasons as a coach (2012-13, 2015, 2017)
• 2 Full Blue awards from the University of Melbourne
• 1 AUG Green and Gold selection