Fred Joughin OAM honoured by University

University paid tribute to their president, Fred Joughin, on Saturday in recognition of his award of a Medal of the Order of Australia.

Fred Joughin’s President’s XI played the Chairman’s XI at Olinda Grove and the match ended in a fitting 4-4 draw.

A barbecue in the Joughin Pavilion followed, and Fred was honoured by club stalwarts and supporters, past and present.

He received his OAM on Australia Day “For service to sport, particularly through the Tasmanian University Soccer Club.”

“I’m greatly honoured and I feel humble in many ways,” said Joughin, 83, who first played for University in 1950 at the age of 25 and finished his playing career aged 58.

“Soccer has been one of the three most important things in my life, after my wife and family, and my job and career.

“I gave up a lot of other things for soccer.

“For example, I only travelled during the summer off-season because I couldn’t bear not playing soccer.”

Joughin, a solicitor by profession, was made club captain when he joined in 1950 and was elected as chairman in 1958, a position he held for the next 20 years.

He was then elected to the new position of club president in 1979, an office he holds to this day.

Joughin also served as an administrator at club, southern, north-western and state levels.

He was made secretary of the State Soccer Council in 1959 and was made a life member in 1962.

He was made a life member of the University Soccer Club in 1966.

He finished his playing career after suffering a heart attack at training when he was 58 years old, but continued his involvement as president.

Joughin attends most of University’s Premier League games and, apart from having the club house named in his honour, there is a special reserved parking space kept for him at all times at Olinda Grove.