How
The Community Street Soccer Program, known as Street Soccer, is an initiative of The Big Issue Australia. The program uses the power of sport to promote social inclusion and personal change for homeless, marginalised and disadvantaged people. It changes lives and creates healthier communities across Australia.
Who participates in Street Soccer?
Street Soccer players come from many walks of life, but all have been marginalised in some way. This could be through factors such as mental illness, homelessness, refugee status, drug and alcohol dependency, physical disability, long-term unemployment or family breakdown. Participants come through referrals from hostels and boarding houses, community centres and welfare agencies, and word-of-mouth among existing Street Soccer participants.
What happens at weekly Street Soccer training?
Weekly training sessions are fun, safe and friendly. The coach will coordinate a Street Soccer session that incorporates some stretching, simple fitness work, skill work and a fun match. There is a great sense of enjoyment and camaraderie at the sessions amongst everyone and the coach is encouraging and supportive.
Who are the coaches?
The Community Street Soccer Program employs enthusiastic, patient and well respected individuals from a range of backgrounds to coach each site. Coaches encourage players to not only improve their soccer skills and fitness but most importantly to improve their lives. Coaches are supportive of their players and act as role models, linking them to appropriate support services.
What do players need?
The players need encouragement and support from agencies and case workers to get to training. The program is FREE so all players need to bring is some basic sports shoes and clothing for training. In instances where they do not have the appropriate shoes or clothing local coaches may be able to assist.
How to start?
Some players will have the confidence to get to training alone however most players will need the support of their case workers to be transported or introduced to the program. Case workers can contact their local coach in the first instance to get advice, inform them of the client’s needs and arrange their first visit to training.
Can people come and watch or volunteer if they aren’t up to playing or do not want to play?
Some players may not be physically up to playing soccer or prefer to be involved in another way. They are welcome to feel part of the team by coming to watch or even volunteering to help run training.
How can I help?
You can assist in many ways, including:
Refer clients to the Community Street Soccer Program with confidence and incorporate the program into the players support structure.
Bring players to Street Soccer training and encourage them to see what happens and see how it is run.
Coordinate transport for players from your organisation to Street Soccer training or explain to players how they can get there themselves.
To contact a local coach in your area click here
To find a Street Soccer training site in your area click here