STREET FOOTBALL FESTIVAL COMES TO DARLING HARBOUR
Street football will take over Darling Harbour when The Big Issue launches a new street football festival on May 26.
Street football will take over Darling Harbour when The Big Issue launches a new street football festival on May 26.
NSW Minister for Major Events George Souris, players from The Big Issue-s Community Street Soccer Program, Newcastle Jets and Sydney FC, will officially kick off The Big Issue Street Football Festival from a purpose-built floating football pitch at Cockle Bay.
The nine-day festival will include the National Championships of the Community Street Soccer Program, which provides weekly training to homeless and marginalised men and women at 25 sites across the country. It will also incorporate a Government Agency Cup, a Corporate Cup and a junior program.
With the festival to become an annual feature on the NSW calendar, residents are encouraged to get down to Cockle Bay and be part of the energy and excitement of the tournament. They will not only see some great football action on a unique stage, but be touched by the passion, commitment and team spirit of the Street Soccer players.
Run Sheet • May 28-29: 16 junior clubs (U8s and U12s) from across NSW will participate in a series of round robin matches from 11am to 6.30pm each day. • May 30 - June 3: 12 Agencies (NSW Government and emergency services) teams will participate in a round robin competition, with the finals played from 12.30pm to 6.30pm on June 3. • May 30 - June 5: 12 corporate teams will participate in a series of round robin matches from May 30 to June 1, culminating with finals from 9am to 12pm on June 4-5. • June 4-5: Street Soccer National Championships will be staged over two days with players from VIC metro, VIC regional, NSW, WA, ACT, SA/TAS and QLD. The final will be held at 2.15pm on June 5.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS The Community Street Soccer Program (CSSP) is a fun and exciting initiative of The Big Issue Australia using the power of sport to change lives. It has engaged more than 3500 players since it was launched in 2007.
CSSP creates social change for homeless, marginalised and disadvantaged Australians, providing support, promoting participation, inclusiveness, commitment and team spirit. The program 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 heart of the CSSP is weekly training sessions in 25 under-privileged communities across Australia.
Participants in the CSSP come from many walks of life, but all are marginalised by factors such as mental illness, homelessness, refugee status, drug and alcohol dependency, physical disability, long-term unemployment and family breakdown. Outcomes for participants include re-connection with family and the community, improved confidence and self-esteem, improved physical and mental health and a sense of belonging.
CSSP is part of a worldwide initiative that uses the power of sport to change lives.
ABOUT STREET SOCCER IN NSW 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 and now operates in 25 sites across the country. Street Soccer runs across four sites in NSW: Sydney, Parramatta, Wollongong and Newcastle.
ABOUT HOMELESSNESS Every night, around 105,000 people are homeless, without safe, secure or affordable housing. The Street Soccer Program gives homeless and marginalised Australians a chance to dream that life can be better - that they can achieve greater things.
ABOUT THE BIG ISSUE The Big Issue Australia is an independent organisation that develops and manages innovative and sustainable business-based solutions which address issues faced by homeless and disadvantaged people. For almost 15 years, The Big Issue magazine has been sold on the streets by homeless and marginalised Australians as an opportunity to earn an income and be included in society.
Vendors purchase magazines for $2.50 and sell them for $5, keeping the difference. Other initiatives by The Big Issue include the Women-s Subscription Enterprise, which provides work, training and pathway opportunities for disadvantaged women through the sale of subscriptions, and The Big Issue Classroom, which uses educational tools to change community attitudes towards disadvantage.