900 volunteers received training for their role at the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup last week. The three-hour sessions covered a huge amount of information including an introduction to the Operations team and their roles and what to expect from a Homeless World Cup. After the general introduction the volunteers broke away into smaller role specific training groups. The training sessions were run at Melbourne University where we were able to take full advantage of the lecture theatres made available …

As part of the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup Cultural Festival, ACMI Cinemas at Federation Square will be screening two fantastic soccer movies. Both movies are documentaries that highlight the passion that soccer ignites round the world.

Both movies are FREE, reserve tickets through the ACMI Box Office.

Visit www.acmi.net.au for information on all ACMI screenings.

ACMI CInemasAustralian Centre for the Moving ImageFederation Square Melbourne

In the Hands of the Gods (M)

Sun 7 Dec 5.30pm

Benjamin and Gabe Turner, 106 mins, UK, 2007, Betacam. Source/Courtesy: Hopscotch…

Busk for Change, a three day entertainment extravaganza and fundraiser for the , set Southbank on fire for an entire weekend. With all the money raised and artists time being donated, it was a chance for bands to make a difference and help to generate interest for the Homeless World Cup and its mission to change the lives of homeless people worldwide.

After a hazardous start with rain and wind on the …

The partnership begins with 20,000 euros funding from Women Win for the development of women’s grass roots football in Colombia, enabling Team Colombia to make its debut at the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup In addition, Women Win also initiates a Challenge Award of 5,000 euros that will be awarded to one of the community organisations participating in the Homeless World Cup in December to help them implement their ideas for sustainable programs for homeless girls and women in their home country.   As the partnership grows it will …

Players from The Big Issue’s Street Soccer Program in Brisbane celebrated their achievements at the Brisbane Best and Fairest Awards last night.

The Best and Fairest Awards celebrate the dedication and commitment of homeless and marginalised people, who are using the Street Soccer Program as a way of making positive changes in the lives.

Brisbane Roar FC player, Hyuk Su Seo, joined in the celebrations and he praised the spirit and dedication of players as they …

Top international referee Kim Milton Nielsen has thrown his support behind the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup and will be refereeing games in the life-changing international football tournament, which runs from December 1-7 at Federation Square and Birrarung Marr.

A veteran of some of the world’s most important soccer games, Milton Nielsen is best known as the man who gave England’s David Beckham a red card in the 1998 FIFA World Cup against Argentina.

56 national teams made up of homeless and marginalised people from around the world will be competing in …

Some of Victoria’s homeless were educated on the principles of sport safety recently to ensure them a place as a volunteer Sports Trainer at this year’s Homeless World Cup.

Ten players and vendors of The Big Issue Street Soccer program all of whom experience homelessness or are in marginalised living arrangements such as couch surfing, participated in a national recognised Sports First Aid and Level One Sports Trainer course run over three weeks.

Delivered by Sports Medicine Australia …

Entertainment Extraveganza in Support of The Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup

Melbourne’s hottest young up and coming acts will be busking their hearts out at Queensbridge Square, Southbank this weekend as they Busk for Change – a three day entertainment extravaganza and fundraiser for the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup.

From Friday 31 October to Sunday 2 November, almost twenty bands and artists will entertain the crowds at Southbank, with a diverse and edgy line-up of entertainment and live art ranging from blues and roots to Aussie hip hop and a former …

Melbourne’s transport network, Metlink and the Victorian Department for Transport are supporting the 2008 Homeless World Cup with travelcards for all competitors to help them get to their events on Melbourne’s trains, trams and buses.

A representative from Metlink said “Homelessness affects communities all over the world and Melbourne is no exception. As a great sport-loving city, Melbourne understands the power sporting events have in bringing people together.

This tournament raises awareness and inspires those who have experienced homelessness to rebuild their lives and reconnect with the community.

Together with the Department of …

We would like to extend a special thank you to Rotary, whose members have been supporting the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup, the Street Soccer Program and The Big Issue.

The magic of Rotary is that it allows ordinary people to achieve extraordinary things. For over one hundred years, ordinary people around the world have come together as Rotarians to unite the power of one with the power of many to bring about exceptional change in the world.

Rotary is a worldwide organisation of business and professional leaders who share their time …