Harry isn’t afraid of the spotlight

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The Decline of the Wollongong Wolves

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  ''The spirit in those days was something very special. It was all about creating a club.'' Socceroos such as David Ratcliffe, Charlie Yankos and John Filan were drawn to the project. Trevor Francis, Paul Mariner and Alan Brazil showed up as guest players thanks to the generosity of the television entrepeneur Harry Michaels. There was a minor premiership in 1988, a 10,000-plus crowd for a semi-final against Sydney United, a Socceroos game in 1996. The Wolves were building something on the field, and all the time Brandon Park was being improved, step-by-step, to match those ambitions. But then everything changed. Wollongong University wanted to create an innovation campus, and Brandon Park was chosen as the site. At the same time, the Illawarra Steelers wanted to improve WIN Stadium. The trust that administered both venues needed the Wolves to come back to the showground as co-tenants to justify government funding. Both the Wolves and Olympic had leases until 2008, but ...
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Did you know that the National Soccer League was played in winter? Harry was broadcasting the game on SBS and realised it could not compete with the established winter sports; rugby league, AFL and Union. In order to save the game, he lobbied prominent board member Nick Papalo (well known and successful lawyer) who in turn, managed to convince other Soccer Australia board members of the merit of Harry’s recommendation. The governing body did not have the advertising money to compete and so, the game was moved to a summer schedule. Harry’s strategic call reinvigorated the game and gave it a true national identity and life!
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Harry Michaels OAM is a visionary in the Australian broadcasting landscape but also a mentor to so many desperate to forge a career in the Media. Harry’s company Harry Michaels Productions which would evolve into Zero1Zero was the sole provider for all football broadcasts on SBS Television. Within 18 months Harry employed me as a presenter in the innovative new SBS football show Soccerama which was hosted by SBS legend Les Murray. It was the start of a lifetime friendship. By the end of 1986 I was host of Sports Report Australia - the first National sport show on Australian Television. I was only 24yo. Harry - like so many other people he has met in the industry - would become a key mentor. Our bond grew stronger as I continued to take huge steps at SBS as we both worked on the National Soccer League competition as well as Socceroos international games and World Youth Cup tournaments. Harry’s experience in the industry is second to none. His eye for detail and delivery of product is ex...
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