Street Soccer

Liz Ellis 

Retired Australian Netballer

Career History:

• Captain Australian Netball Team 2004-2007 (Member 1993 – 2007)
• Most capped Australian Netballer (122 Caps)
• World Champion 1995, 1999, 2007
• Captain Sydney Swifts 2000 – 2007 (Member 1997-2007)
• National League Premiers 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007
• Graduated BA/LLB Macquarie University 1996
• Solicitor Corrs Chambers Westgarth 1997-2000
• Netball Commentator since 2008

How did you originally hear about The Big Issue’s Community Street Soccer Program?

I was approached by the CEO of The Big Issue, Steven Persson, who has been instrumental in the development of the Community Street Soccer Program in Australia.

What were your reasons for wanting to become an Ambassador of the Community Street Soccer Program?

I am happy to support any initiative that helps make a difference to people through sport and physical activity.  The Community Street Soccer Program uses the perfect vehicle – sport – to re-engage people who are marginalised and have given up on traditional support services.  Sport is a powerful vehicle to make people feel like they belong!

How can sport assist in changing the lives of homeless and marginalised people around Australia?

Most people play sport for fun – and bringing fun into the lives of homeless and marginalised people is a really powerful thing.  The sense of belonging that sport brings also allows people to develop really great attributes – teamwork, discipline and the desire to look after their health.

As the former captain of the Australian Netball team, what advice do you have for the Street Socceroos who will be heading to Milan to represent Australia at this year’s Homeless World Cup?

Enjoy the competition and comeraderie and make sure you beat New Zealand!

Anything else you would like to add (perhaps a quote about your time playing representative sport and the things you have learnt/seen, words of encouragement to those women thinking of taking part in the Community Street Soccer Program):

Sometimes the hardest step is the first one – yet it is often the most important part of a journey!