The Big Issue

Alex

ALEX MARSHALL, CAPTAIN (NSW) 2008

At 25, Sydney-based Alex is proudly representing his country as the Captain of the Street Socceroos. Alex began playing soccer as a 4 year-old for local club, St Andrews Eastwood. He’s also played for his university and joined The Big Issue Sydney Street Soccer Program in April 2008.

Alex experienced homelessness this year as he tried to juggle the demands of completing his university honours degree with living away from home.

“I’ve managed to combine the challenge of being homeless whilst trying to complete a university degree and somehow, God only knows how, I’ve managed to overcome and complete both,” says Alex.

“Things are now great – I have finished university, I have a roof over my head, I’ve got a part-time job doing something I love and now I’m just counting down the days to the World Cup”.

Before accepting the title of Captain of the Street Socceroos, Alex captained the NSW team to victory at The Big Issue’s 2008 National Street Soccer Championships in July. He said he was honoured to be chosen to represent his country at an international sporting event, and was looking forward to competing on home turf.

“It’s an honour and a privilege to represent Australia”, Alex said. “I still can’t believe it’s real. I’m really looking forward to meeting other players from around the world, and showing everyone what we can do. “

Alex has goals for both during and after the Homeless World Cup. “I want to make new friends, play some great football and have sore cheeks from smiling all the time. Afterwards my goal is to return to the workforce, stay fit and maybe even travel overseas”.

The best advice Alex offers to people facing homelessness is “to quote the movie Galaxyquest – ‘Never give up. Never surrender’ “.

(Photo by Michael Brown – Photoworx)