Michael Owen

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Michael Owen, also known as Mickey or MO, was awarded Melbourne University Soccer Club life membership in October 2024.

Many in the MUSC community will be most familiar with Michael from his time spent as the longest standing president in the club’s history. His decade spent in the role are made all the more impressive when taking into consideration his contributions and successes during that time.

In addition to his volunteering efforts, Michael boasts an accolade-heavy playing career and has played over 300 games for the club.

Player

Michael joined MUSC in 2004 after moving to the big smoke from country Victoria. He has since played over 300 games for the club. He starting his playing career with the Thirds team before progressing into the clubs senior-most squad. Since then, he has played on eight different championship winning sides across Metropolitan and Men’s State League Football.

2013 is particularly notable with Michael serving as captain of the Men’s State League 5 East Reserves, and winning the league’s overall Best & Fairest award.

Coaching

Michael has held a number of supporting coach roles, including for the 2016 Men’s State League 5 North Reserves premiership-winning team. The side got 17 wins from 20 games and finished with a +68 goal difference.

Governance & leadership

Michael’s election as president in 2015 came after serving as a committee member for the two years prior and as vice-president in 2014.

Michael oversaw a major operational and structural rehaul of the club, with its then-three divisions (two men’s and one women’s) and their individual committees forming one collective with a single governing board. This could not have been achieved without the slow work of relationship-building and advocacy. This culminated in the rewriting and adoption of an updated constitution in 2020, ensuring the board’s was realigned with the overall club and the enshrinement of gender diversity and equity in leadership. The establishment of a new board structure was accompanied by Michael’s efforts to adopt with industry-endorsed best practice, as well as a fresh club logo.

Managing (and bolstering!) the club’s financial position was another slow and steady task achieved during Michael’s presidency. This work included overseeing day-to-day financial tasks such as budgeting and book-keeping, and progressing long-term projects, including the establishment of a club sub-fund in the University Chapter and updating the club’s monetary processes and systems. Under Michael’s leadership, MUSC withstood the many operational and financial impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic had on grassroots sport. At the end of his presidency in 2024, Micahel left the club in a far stronger and more sustainable financial position than how he found it.

Strategic output was another cornerstone of Michael’s leadership. This included overseeing the development of a whole club three-year strategic plan; serving as a member on Melbourne University Sport’s Club Advisory Group; supporting the expansion of the club’s football offerings to be more inclusive, diverse and accessible; and advocating with key stakeholders for improved facilities and grounds.

In 2023, Michael received Melbourne University Sport’s Distinguished Service Award in recognition of service to the club for more than 10 years.

Operations & administration

Beyond the board room, Michael has been an essential cog in the operations behind what would grow to become Victoria’s biggest senior football club. His contributions – most of which sat outside the remit of president – include but are not limited to:

  • IT and webmaster – introducing a club membership management system to manage data from over 400+ players and thousands of expressions of interest, and developing a new club website and online store.
  • Registrations – supporting the roll out of a new club membership management system, and processing hundreds of players’ registrations.
  • Equipment and kit management – serving as club equipment officer, coordinating and updating the club’s many playing kits, and key stakeholder management with suppliers.
  • Events – leading multiple men’s presentation nights, the club’s 70th anniversary celebrations, and the club’s 75th anniversary celebrations.
  • Facilities management and administration.
  • Matchday operations.
  • Partnerships and grants.
  • Social media and comms management.

Michael’s contributions earnt him the Harry Gill Medal – the club’s Men’s Players’ Player award – in 2017 and 2022.

Summary

  • Melbourne University Sport’s Distinguished Service Award (2023)
  • Harry Gill Medal for Men’s Players’ Player of the Year x 2 (2017 & 2022)
  • 12+ years on board and committee (2013 – present)
    • Club committee member (2013)
    • Vice President (Men’s) (2014)
    • President (2015 – 2024)
    • Melbourne University Sport Clubs Advisory Group (2020 – 2024)
  • 300+ matches played
    • Thirds Central League Runner-Up Best & Fairest (2007)
    • Prov 3 SE Seniors Coach’s Award (John Buckley) (2008)
    • Thirds Div 2 NW Top Goalscorer (2010)
    • MSL5 East Reserves Best & Fairest (2013)
    • MSL4 East Seniors Coach’s Award (Larry Quiroga) (2014)
    • Championship winning seasons:
      • Prov 3 SE Reserves (2009)
      • Thirds 2 NW (2012)
      • MSL5 East Reserves (2013)
      • MSL5 North Reserves (2016)
      • MSL5 West Reserves (2017)
      • MSL5 North Reserves (2019)
      • Metropolitan 8 SE Bohemians (2023)
      • Metropolitan 6 NW Bohemians (2024)
  • 2 seasons as a coach
    • Assistant coach MSL4 East Reserves – 2nd place finish (2015)
    • Player coach MSL5 North – 1st place finish (2016)