The Big Issue

Head down to the Docklands for the Street Soccer State Champs!

Teams of marginalised and homeless Street Soccer players from across Victoria will unite at Waterfront City at Melbourne’s Docklands this Sunday March 22 for The Big Issue’s Street Soccer State Championships.

Players from Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Dandenong and Melbourne will compete for the state title and the chance to head to the National Championships in July. Following the Nationals a team will be selected to represent Australia at the Milan 2009 Homeless World Cup. In 2008 Melbourne hosted the Homeless World Cup, which saw more than 100 000 spectators descend on Federation Square for the week-long tournament.

While players will be vying for their chance to head to the Nationals this weekend, Street Soccer National Coach George Halkias said the State Championships were really about the players demonstrating their courage, determination and commitment to making positive social changes in their lives.

“For many of the players the event this Sunday will act as a stepping stone to turn their lives around,” Halkias said. 

“To see this up close will be an amazing experience for everyone.”

The eight Victorian teams will head to Lancefield tomorrow afternoon, for a two-day training camp that will then lead into the State Championships on Sunday. The training camp aims to build friendships between the players and create a positive environment for the Championships to take place.

Victorians are being urged to get down to Waterfront City at The Docklands this Sunday and support the Street Soccer Players as they transform their lives through the power of sport.

2009 Street Soccer State Championships Program of Events: Sunday March 22

10:30am
Corporate Cup with BHP Billiton, nab Capital, ANZ, Macquarie Group Foundation, Corrections Victoria, Minster Ellison Lawyers, Cafescreen, and Adstream

12:20pm
Corporate Cup Grand Final (Pitch 1)

12:50pm
Corporate Cup Presentations

01:00pm
Street Soccer State Championships Opening Ceremony with Ralph Barba of the Four Diegos World Football

04:00pm
Street Soccer State Championships Semi Final

04:30pm 
Street Soccer State Championships Final

04.45pm           
Street Soccer State Championships Presentations by Richard Wynne MP Minister for Housing, Local Government & Aboriginal Affairs and City of Melbourne Councillor Jennifer Kanis

ENDS

Photo Opportunity: Media are invited to the Where the Heart Is festival (for homeless people or those living in insecure housing) tomorrow from 11-1.30pm for a photo opportunity with National Street Soccer Coach George Halkias and players from the Fitzroy Street Soccer Program – in the lead up to Sunday’s State Championships. Cnr of Alfred Cres and Rowe Street, North Fitzroy.

Media Opportunity: Media are invited to attend the Street Soccer State Championships at Waterfront City, The Docklands this Sunday March 22. For full details and times, please refer to the attached press release.
  
Media Contact: Danielle Bombardieri, PR Consultant – The Big Issue on 0400 100 978.