EDDY HALID (VIC)

Eddy first heard about The Big Issue Street Soccer Program from his friend Enso and joined the Melbourne program two and a half years ago.

Soccer has been the one constant in Eddy’s life. He has experienced homelessness but says that things are now “better than they were” and …

COEN SLAUGHTER (NSW)

Twenty-one year old Coen Slaughter hails from Rutherford in NSW and joined The Big Issue’s Sydney Street Soccer Program in June 2007. This rising talent has played soccer all his life and looks up to players like Zinedine Zidane. He was awarded Best Player of the Tournament at The Big Issue’s 2008 National Street Soccer Championships.

In the past, Coen has experienced family disruptions and homelessness but credits …

HAMID ARABI (SA)

Hamid joined The Big Issue’s Adelaide Street Soccer Program in March 2008. Aged 30, he was born in Iran and has been in Australia for 13 years.

Having played soccer previously in Iran, Hamid has enjoyed being part of the Street Soccer Program which he joined when facing the challenges of homelessness, drug abuse and mental illness. “It’s been good to play soccer – it’s good for the soul,” he said.

Hamid said …

TONI WHELAN (SA)

This vivacious 20 year old from Adelaide is the only female member of the 2008 Street Socceroos team. In June 2007, Toni joined The Big Issue’s Street Soccer Program despite never having played soccer before. She is now getting ready to pit her talents against street soccer teams from across the world.

Through the Street Soccer Program Toni has enjoyed making new friends and being part of the supportive environment. “Our team …

KEVIN (SKIP) KNIGHT (QLD)
Aged 24, Kevin (known as Skip) played soccer all through school and joined The Big Issue’s Brisbane Street Soccer Program when it commenced in 2006. Born in England, Kevin moved to Australia when he was four.

Kevin has experienced homelessness and mental illness. He says that things these days “could be better, I’m still looking for my own unit”. One of his goals when returning …

LORENSO (ENSO) NEGHAD (VIC)

Enso has been a regular face at The Big Issue’s Melbourne Street Soccer Program since it began in 2004. Born in Tehran, Iran, the 33 year old has been playing soccer all his life.

Enso sought asylum in Australia eight years ago and says that the best thing about the Street Soccer Program …

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 …

STEVE MALONEY, VICE-CAPTAIN (VIC)

Stevie began training at Atherton Gardens in Melbourne 18 months ago. He originally hails from St Helens in the north-west of England and worked in England and internationally as a successful jockey for 17 years. His work brought him to Australia in 1998.

Stevie has been homeless and lived in men’s shelters before he found out about The Big Issue Street Soccer Program….

Devo has become a big part of The Big Issue in Western Australia. For four years he has participated in the Street Soccer Program in Western Australia and for six years he has been selling The Big Issue magazine.

Photo of Devo (right) with coach Chris Cornelio at the 2008 National Street Soocer Championships.

He first started playing soccer in his mid twenties and now at 52 he is still involved in the game.

“I like street soccer because it’s relaxed and easy to …

Will (that’s him in the blue beanie) has been training as a Street Socceroo for 13 months now and says it is the only thing he looks forward to each week.

“When you live on the streets there is not much to do, and I really love sport. I played AFL football for nine years and actually hated soccer but now I like it more than footy. Okay, I am a Kangaroos supporter however I also support …