The Big Issue

Victoria Wins 2009 Street Soccer National Championships

Victoria has defeated New South Wales eight to three in the thrilling final of the 2009 Street Soccer National Championships played at South Bank in Brisbane this afternoon.

Six teams, made up of 48 homeless and marginalised men and women, from across Australia competed in the Championships, while also vying to impress coaches for selection to the Australian Team (Street Socceroos) to play in the Milan 2009 Homeless World Cup in September. The Homeless World Cup is a world-class, annual, international Street Soccer tournament which last year was held in Melbourne.

Western Australia beat Queensland in the third place play-off, while Victoria Regional defeated South Australia for fifth place.

Male player of the tournament was Scott from Wollongong while female player of the tournament was Nicole from Western Australia.

While Victoria left with the major trophy, Street Socceroos Coach George Halkias said everyone had kicked a goal today.

“While not everyone will make the Australian team, all the players have shown that they can achieve great things,” Halkias said.

Street Soccer Ambassadors, Brisbane Roar, said it was great to see the event in Brisbane for the first time and while Queensland didn’t take home the premiership they were pleased with their performance on the day.

“Every one of the players that went out there today and represented their State showed that with hard work and dedication life can be better, than you can achieve great things,” Brisbane Roar CEO Peter McLennan said.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the Street Soccer Program and using the power of sport to change lives.”

Lord Mayor of Brisbane Campbell Newman who presented the winning team with their trophy said Brisbane was honoured to have hosted the 2009 Street Soccer National Championships and thanked the public for getting behind the event.

 “Council is proud to support his great initiative which uses sport and team work to respond to homelessness.

 “I want Brisbane to be a better and more inclusive city and one that is committed to achieving social change.

 “I congratulate all the participants on their hard work today.”

Street Soccer is an initiative of The Big Issue Australia and involves males and females of all ages and abilities, getting together once a week for soccer training and matches. Street Soccer puts the person at the centre of the solution and provides them with the support and tools necessary to help themselves make positive change.

The program began in Melbourne in 2004 and now operates in 16 sites across the country. By 2010 the program aims to engage more than 3000 participants across 30 sites around Australia.

Each year, a team is selected to represent Australia in the Homeless World Cup. This team is known as the Street Socceroos and 2009 will be the fifth time Australia competes at Homeless World Cup.

ENDS

For further comment, to speak to representatives from your State or to obtain photos from the 2009 Street Soccer National Championships contact Danielle Bombardieri (Media Relations Consultant at The Big Issue) on 0400 100 978.

The selection process for the team to represent Australia at the 2009 Milan Homeless World Cup is currently underway. A media announcement will be made in the coming weeks. To be added to the media distribution list for the Street Socceroos heading to Homeless World Cup in 2009 please send an email to Danielle Bombardieri at dbombardieri@bigissue.org.au