Michael Wilson was homeless in Adelaide now he’s heading to South Korea to play for Australia in the Homeless World Cup
Michael Wilson first picked up a soccer ball three years ago, when he was sleeping rough in Adelaide’s parklands. Today, he’s heading to South Korea to play for Australia.
SA News
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Three years ago, Michael Wilson was homeless and sleeping rough in a tent in the southern parklands. The nights were tough and sometimes scary, but the days introduced him to a new passion – playing soccer with other people struggling on the streets.
On Thursday, September 19, the 42-year-old will head overseas for the first time in his life to play soccer for Australia in Seoul, South Korea at the Homeless World Cup – made famous in this year’s British movie, The Beautiful Game.
The Ngarrindjeri man has been selected for the Street Socceroos, who will compete in the annual competition organised by The Big Issue and involving 450 soccer players from more than 40 countries.
“I’m a bit nervous – it’s 11 hours to get there,” says Mr Wilson, who is travelling on his first passport, arranged for him by the Hutt St Centre.
“It’s going to be exciting. We’re going to be called out first for the opening parade at the opening ceremony because it’s going to go alphabetically.”
Mr Wilson, who spent time in foster care as a child, couch surfed with friends and family and drifted around Adelaide’s southern suburbs for years.
Three years ago, he headed into the city and made a camp for himself in the parklands, just near the Hutt St Centre.
That’s where the lifelong footballer was introduced to weekly street soccer competitions run by The Big Issue next to his makeshift home – and discovered his hidden talent.
“I was pretty good at it. I think I took to it because I like it so much,” says Mr Wilson, a speedy centre who loves scoring goals.
“If I miss a Wednesday or a Saturday, I get pretty grumpy. I can’t miss more than two days.”
About two years ago, he finally moved into a home off Hutt St in the city. “It’s the first time I’ve lived in a place on my own,” he says. “It feels safer, more stable that I’ve got a place to go back to, I don’t have to worry about any strangers.”
He still plays in the street soccer competition on Wednesdays and Saturdays and impressed national selectors for the Homeless World Cup.
“I like the fitness and the mental side of soccer,” says Mr Wilson, who felt “emotional” when told about his selection in the Street Socceroos a couple of months ago.
“Even if I go to soccer all red and steaming out the ears, I’ve got that two hours to cool off and enjoy myself. It makes me feel a lot better.”
Mr Wilson travelled to Canberra last month – his first trip outside of South Australia – for his national shirt presentation at Parliament House.
“I was the first one called out – crying, waterworks, I got to shake their hand. I felt proud of myself,” says Mr Wilson, who plans to frame his shirt when he returns home.
“They’ve got a mini-pitch behind Parliament House and we played against some of the politicians. One even brought his own gloves and everything – he was more of a soccer player than a politician, probably scored more goals than he got votes in the House.”
While in Canberra, Mr Wilson met his teammates, including two women, and his national coach George Halkias.
“They’re all very cool, everyone’s got a unique story,” he says. “We’re all friends already. We’ll give it our best shot at the Cup, this is our turn.”
Hutt St Centre chief executive Chris Burns said his organisation could help Mr Wilson make his dream come true.
“We were able to help him get clothes and his passport, the identification he needed for that,” Mr Burns said.
“We Michael is using his skill to contribute back to society and he’s on the road to recovery. We’ll be cheering him on.”
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