The Over 45 Soccer League was established in 2008, literally as a result of founder Martin O'Malley being told he was too old and too slow for the 35s team he was training with. A few phone calls revealed that there was genuine interest from players finding it hard to match the speed and 'enthusiasm' of the younger players, so taking the initiative, Martin cobbled together 4 teams for the first Over 45 games in May 2008. From those humble beginnings, the League continued to expand each season and Martin’s passion to create an environment, which was inclusive and allowed anyone over the age of 45 to play in a competition which continued to spread throughout Metropolitan Melbourne. 

A policy of NO slide tackles, NO tackles from behind and a Sin Bin has allowed the competition to progress over the years with very few injuries being experienced on the pitch (silly, unfit, old blokes tearing muscles in the first 5 minutes excluded). It now is structured into Divisions due to the number of teams and caters for all abilities from Div 1 to Div 3, Over 55s and Over 60s. 

In 2025, we welcomed the Womens Super 35s League and that will continue to grow from the current number of teams who bring enthusiasm and determination to every game. 

2026 sees the league at its biggest yet, with 64 men's teams and 6 women's teams taking part. If there is interest, an Over 65s comp is not out of the question, and if we can get Zimmer Frames in club colours, why not an Over 75s? 

Each year the league holds a charity day in the last round of the season with the aim of bringing as many teams to one venue to play and celebrate the end of a long season. The creation of the Charity Round was by Martin O’Malley, who wanted to create a legacy where money raised and donated by the League and players ended up at a Charity who could help people and families in need. 

In 2025, over $20,000 was donated to Lymphoma Australia and a similar amount was raised in 2024 for Dementia Australia. There are over 1000 active players who participate in the League and this is an opportunity to reflect on how fortunate they are to be able to play the World game in a competitive environment, so the Charity Round forms an important pillar of the League. Since its inception, the League would have donated well in excess of $ 150,000 to numerous Charities, such as Brain Cancer, MND, Pancreatic Cancer, just to name a few. 

The medical world continually tells the mature members of the community to "use it or lose it, well, the Over 45 Soccer League provides the chance to use it and have some fun in the process. 

The cost to run any form of event can prove prohibitive to competitors who are financially challenged, and consequently an opportunity presents for community-minded organisations to support this growing activity, access a specific demographic, and promote their brand through sponsorship of the League.

From its humble beginnings in 2008, the Over 45s Soccer League is now well established as the only destination for players approaching the age of 45 and being able to stay well into their late 60s and 70s. 

Martin O’Malley continues to play in the Over 60s Division and the League is indebted to his tireless work, vision and dedication since 2008.