The Big Issue

Bendigo and Ballarat’s new community street soccer program for homeless and marginalised people recently held their first “come and try” day.

The program uses physical activity as a catalyst for transforming lives, by reconnecting people with the community and providing them with a sense of purpose and belonging.

Newly appointed Ballarat coach Robert Esposito – a former player for the Ballarat Red Devils and now coach of the Junior Red Devils – says the program is about having fun and getting some physical activity in a team environment.

“Sport is a great leveller,” Esposito said. “Once you’re out on the pitch you forget about the bad stuff in life and simply get out there and have a kick. “Local businesses such as Dulux and Sports Biz are already supporting us with training gear and equipment, and there are plenty of other opportunities to get involved.”

Recently appointed Bendigo coach Terry Attwood – a social worker and coach at Castlemaine Goldfields Football Club – is keen to get the program started there.

“We’re ready to go,” Attwood said. “We’ve spoken with several community services in Bendigo, including St. Lukes where I also work, and the feedback we’ve had is that their clients are really excited by the idea. “Sport – in this case soccer – can change peoples’ lives for the better. And for me, it feels great to be using a sport I love to make a difference and give something back.”

Support staff will work closely with the players, linking them to services that address their homelessness, substance abuse, family breakdown and mental illness. Both sites will be working with local community health services to make sure that we have the right people to support the players with advice and related health programs.

Ballarat and Bendigo are two of 30 sites around Australia to receive the program. Participants who show the greatest commitment to the weekly training sessions and commit to making positive changes in their lives have the chance to represent Australia as Street Socceroos at the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup in December.

Training will be held each Tuesday from 2-4pm at the White Flat oval in Ballarat, and each Tuesday from 10am to noon at the Long Gully Reserve in Long Gully, Bendigo.

Contact Jarron Gunn for more information: jgunn@bigissue.org.au