Michael Thwaite facts for kids
Thwaite playing for Western Sydney Wanderers FC in 2018
|
|||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Michael Errol Thwaite | ||
| Date of birth | 2 May 1983 | ||
| Place of birth | Brisbane, Australia | ||
| Height | 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Centre back Defensive midfielder |
||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2002 | Sydney University | 22 | (5) |
| 2002–2004 | Marconi Stallions | 34 | (0) |
| 2004–2006 | Naţional București | 36 | (0) |
| 2006–2008 | Wisła Kraków | 6 | (0) |
| 2008–2009 | SK Brann | 2 | (0) |
| 2008–2009 | → Melbourne Victory (loan) | 16 | (0) |
| 2009–2012 | Gold Coast United | 82 | (1) |
| 2012–2016 | Perth Glory | 85 | (2) |
| 2016 | Liaoning Whowin | 25 | (3) |
| 2017–2018 | Western Sydney Wanderers | 21 | (1) |
| 2019–2020 | Gold Coast United | 45 | (4) |
| International career | |||
| 2002–2003 | Australia U20 | 8 | (0) |
| 2004 | Australia U23 | 3 | (1) |
| 2005–2013 | Australia | 13 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Michael Errol Thwaite, born on May 2, 1983, is a former professional soccer player from Australia. He played as a centre back or a defensive midfielder.
Contents
Education and Coaching
Michael studied at CQUniversity Australia, earning a degree in Human Movement Science. This field focuses on how the human body moves. After his playing career, he also became a certified coach, holding an AFC B-Licence.
Club Career Highlights
Early Years and NSL Debut
Michael grew up in Cairns and played junior football at Saints Soccer Club. His senior amateur career began at Edge Hill-Saints. He then moved to Sydney University in 2002, playing in the New South Wales Winter Super League. From 2002 to 2004, he played professionally for Marconi Stallions in Australia's former top league, the NSL.
Playing in Europe
After his time in Australia, Michael moved to Europe. He played for Naţional București in Romania's top league. Later, he joined Wisła Kraków in Poland in 2006. In 2008, he signed with SK Brann in Norway.
Return to Australia: A-League Journey
Melbourne Victory Loan
In June 2008, Michael was loaned to Melbourne Victory in Australia's A-League. He scored his first goal for the team in a pre-season game against Perth Glory, helping Melbourne Victory win 1-0.
Gold Coast United
In January 2009, Michael joined Gold Coast United. On February 1, 2012, he scored his first professional goal for the club against his former team, Melbourne Victory. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.
Perth Glory Success
After Gold Coast United stopped playing in the A-League, Michael moved to Perth Glory for the 2012–2013 season. He was chosen as part of the PFA Team of the Year. He also played in an All Stars match against the famous Italian club Juventus in 2014. Michael played every minute of the 2014–2015 A-League season for Perth Glory.
Time in China
In January 2016, Michael joined the Chinese club Liaoning Whowin. He played 25 games and scored 3 goals during his first season in the 2016 Chinese Super League. Due to changes in rules about foreign players, Michael left the club in February 2017.
Western Sydney Wanderers
Michael signed with Western Sydney Wanderers for the 2017–2018 A-League season. He scored one goal and reached a big milestone of 200 A-League games. This special game was the Sydney Derby on February 25, 2018. After this season, he returned to his family on the Gold Coast.
Return to Gold Coast United and Retirement
In 2019, Michael played for Gold Coast United again, this time in the Queensland National Premier League. On June 8, 2019, he played his 100th game for the club and scored a goal.
On March 23, 2021, Michael Thwaite announced he was retiring from professional football. This was 19 years after he first started playing professionally. Gold Coast United thanked him for his great contribution to the sport.
International Career
Michael Thwaite played for Australia's national teams at different levels.
Youth National Teams
He was part of the Australian under-20s team in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship held in the UAE. He also played for the Australian under-23s team that tried to qualify for the 2004 Olympics.
Senior National Team
Michael made his debut for the senior Australian national team on October 9, 2005. This was in a friendly match against Jamaica, which Australia won 5-0. He was part of the Australian team that played in the important World Cup qualifying match against Uruguay. Michael was also a member of the Australian team that reached the Quarter Final of the 2007 Asian Cup. He was also part of the Australian squad that qualified for the 2014 World Cup.
Honours and Awards
Michael Thwaite achieved several honours during his career:
Team Honours
- Wisła Kraków
- Ekstraklasa (Polish League): 2007–08
- Melbourne Victory
- A-League Men Premiership: 2008–2009
- A-League Pre-Season Challenge Cup: 2008
Individual Awards
- Gold Coast United Player of the Year: 2010–2011
- Gold Coast United Player's Player of the Year: 2009–2010
- Gold Coast United Member's Player of the Year: 2009–2010
- Perth Glory Most Glorious Player: 2013–2014
- Perth Glory Member's Ultimate XI: 1996–2016
- A-League All Stars Game participant: 2014
- Gold Coast United Player of the Year: Queensland NPL season 2019
- Queensland NPL All Stars and Queensland State team: 2020
See also
In Spanish: Michael Thwaite para niños
