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 that it’s important to “never lose hope”.

With the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup fast approaching, Eddy is busy training and is looking forward to representing his new country as a Street Socceroo. After the Homeless World Cup, Eddy’s goal is to “work and still do something to help homeless people in the world.”

Be sure to keep an eye out for Eddy’s amazing tricks with the soccer ball!

(Photo by Michael Brown – Photoworx)

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 his friends, National Street Socceroos Coach George Halkias and Centrelink with helping him find his feet. He is now studying a TAFE course and says that things “are more positive. I’m still down a bit as I have no job, but I do have somewhere to live,” he said.

Through the Street Soccer Program Coen has enjoyed meeting and interacting with people from different backgrounds and says it has made him feel more positive about life. When facing these personal challenges Coen says that it’s important to “stay positive, be calm, ask for help and talk about your problems”.

Come December, keep your eyes out for Coen on the street soccer pitch. He says he is “looking forward to meeting players from around the world and finishing as high as we can.” And when the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup is done and dusted, his goal is to find a job.

(Photo by Michael Brown – photoworx)

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 it felt “brilliant” to be representing Australia at the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup. “I’m looking forward to winning, kicking lots of goals, meeting people from other countries and sharing stories” he said. “I want to improve my skills and having fun is the most important thing.”

These days things have been looking up for Hamid. “I have a house and a steady girlfriend” he said. When he returns from Melbourne Hamid plans to get a job and join a local soccer club.

(Photo by Michael Brown – Photoworx)

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 in Adelaide is one big happy family”, she says.

Toni was awarded Best Female Player of the 2008 National Street Soccer Championships, and has been kicking goals off the field as well.

“Homelessness has been a challenge in the past, but now I have stable accommodation,” says Toni. “Things are tops – absolutely, and I’m just about to start a new job.”

Her advice to other people experiencing homelessness is to “keep your head up and not give up. Support and encouragement from others is also important.”

When Toni returns from the Homeless World Cup she plans to get back into TAFE and do an IT course.

Toni will celebrate her 21^st birthday during the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup, and being part of the team appears to be a great birthday present!

”I’m on top of the world! Representing Australia is a once in a life time opportunity,” she says. “Winning would be good, but I would prefer that everyone just has a great time with lots of team spirit.”

(Photo by  Michale Brown – Photoworx)

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 from the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup is to find a unit, as well as looking into study and finding a job.

Kevin enjoys being part of the Street Soccer Program, especially the people he meets and trains with.  As for representing his country, he laughs ‘I’ll tell you how it feels after the event! Nah, it’s awesome. It’s the chance of a lifetime”.

On the soccer pitch, Kevin looks up to his favourite player Ian Rush from Liverpool. Through his experiences both on and off the field Kevin has learnt that it’s important to “keep your chin up and don’t be scared to ask for help”.

(Photo by Michael Brown – Photoworx)

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 is “being part a team and the sense of family”. Nowadays, he’s independent and says that things “are much better”.

This star goal-keeper was runner-up in the 2008 Melbourne Street Soccer Program Best and Fairest Awards and has taken on the role of Goalkeeping Coach for the Street Socceroos in the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup. Enso says it will be a “massive privilege and honour to wear the green and gold and I’m looking forward to playing against teams from around the world.”

Enso’s favourite player is the former Italian keeper, Walter Zenger. A budding thespian, Enso hopes to study acting and be successful when the Homeless World Cup is over.

(Photo – Michael Brown Photoworx)

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)

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.

“In the past I had problems with alcohol and I was in a rehab when I saw a flyer saying come down and train. I went down and George (coach) and Bushy (player) made me feel welcome”.

When asked what he likes most about the Street Soccer Program, Steve says “I like having ‘a crack’ (a laugh) with the lads, I really like playing football. It keeps me fit and it gives me something to look forward to. It breaks the week up and stops it being monotonous.”

Stevie has been on the straight and narrow for 16 months now and says that the soccer program has helped him, as has attending regular AA meetings, playing in his Sunday League side the Caulfield Cougars and being a dad.

“You don’t have to do things alone. There are people and services out there that can help people out.”

Stevie was humbled to receive the 2008 Best and Fairest Award for the Melbourne Street Soccer Program.

“I’m rapt with the award, but we’re all winners just for being here today anyway,” Stevie said.

“Sometimes people don’t understand when I try to explain how important soccer is to me, but it has dead set helped me change my life.”

Stevie says “it feels enormous” to play in the Homeless World Cup. “I’m most looking forward to playing the game I love and meeting other players.

“I want to do my bit to get the message out there that it’s homeless not hopeless!”

Steve is also actively involved in The Big Issue’s Adopt-A-Team project, talking to hundreds of Melbourne’s school children about his journey. “It is such a pleasure telling kids about my life so they can learn from my mistakes, I have been so surprised how well they listen and take it on board”

Top picture: Steve at the National Championships (Michael Brown- Photoworx)

Bottom picture: Steve (on the left) with two of his best mates in England.

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 fit in. There is no pecking order like a conventional club and it’s not so crucial to be a highly skilled player,” he said.

“Street soccer is a release form the daily grind- it’s something to distract me from the real world and things like paying bills. I catch up with like-minded people who know what it’s like to have a rough life.”

Devo keeps himself extremely busy; when he is not selling The Big Issue or playing street soccer he is usually found on his bike. He has been cycling since he was 10 years old and is now currently in three cycling clubs; Cycling Tour Association of Western Australia, Western Australia Advisory Council and the Mundabiddi Mountain Bike Club.

Devo recently toured Queensland and New South Wales with 20 other cyclists organised by the Cycling Tour Association of WA.

“We were riding up to 100kms some days, for five weeks. We had to have a week rest before flying home!”

With the Western Australia Advisory Council, Devo visits regional areas of WA to promote vision impaired cycling, going to primary and high schools in Margaret River, Geraldton, Northampton and Albany. They take tandem bikes and talk about cycling; what it’s like to be vision impaired; their capabilities and the instruments available to assist with their disability.

“When I came back from volunteering at the 2000 Paralympics I went to the Volunteer Australia office and have been a pilot cyclist for vision impaired tandem riding ever since.”

Devo is also a member of the “Spirit of the Street Choir”. He plays bass guitar and meets every Tuesday with the rest of the choir. The popularity of the choir is growing and in October a ticketed show will be held at the Perth Concert Hall.

“I used to play in a band back in the late 80′s. The band brought out a four track EP which got some local airplay but still remains a collector’s item (I still have 50 copies at home),” laughed Devo.

“This year is the 20th anniversary of the band, I’m just waiting for that phone call for a reunion tour!”

“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 Adelaide United in the A-League”.

Will cites the best part of the program is playing the matches at the end of training and he is really looking forward to the soccer pitch being built. “I am keen to make the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup team and it has been my goal from last year. I believe the key to making the team is keeping up my attendance and making sure I am improving my skills.” With the second site in Adelaide about to go live Will is pretty excited. “I will most probably travel to Port-Adelaide Enfield and train there as well each week.“

Will is currently staying at a backpackers and says he doesn’t use drugs or drink alcohol anymore and is trying to give up cigarettes in the lead up to the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup. “If I make it to the National Championships in July in Melbourne I really want to do a tour of the MCG”.
When asked what else he could tell me about himself Will said “I am currently doing a few courses; fork lift driving, warehousing and I really like Hip Hop music”.

Will was selected to represent Australia at the National Championships in 2007.