The Homeless World Cup is something you couldn't imagine. There's no Mark Vidukas, there's no Harry Kewells, there's people there that couldn't kick a ball to save themselves. Just to put eight people who've come from homelessness, substance abuse, mental illness, fit them out with Australian gear to represent their country […] It's probably hard to imagine why we do it or how we do it. But it works and it's an experience of a lifetime. I'm their coach. I'm their friend. I'm their counsellor. I'm their confidante. I'm their disciplinarian. I'm their support. To a few of them I might be their father figure. It's a big responsibility, but I love it. — Street Socceroos coach George Halkias speaking to Australian Story

The Big Issue’s Street Socceroos team has taken many forms over the years, with players hailing from a variety of backgrounds and facing different but equally difficult challenges. At the centre of that team is one quiet-achieving constant: coach George Halkias, whose steady hand and generous support has benefitted countless at-risk players over his some seven-year tenure.

Having grown up a sports lover in a Greek migrant family in Melbourne, Halkias watched, played, and dreamt of sport—sometimes at odds with his parents’ desire that he concentrate on his studies.

‘That’s why I’m a coulda-been champion,’ he quips, with his parents’ push for formal education winning out. He went on to train as a psychologist, serving a hard-yards apprenticeship of sorts in the public housing estates in Melbourne’s Collingwood, which exposed him to every facet of challenging behaviours and hardships.

In his next job he managed a service for victims of crime, a no-less-difficult role, before marrying up his love of sport with his love of helping people: taking on the role as coach, psychologist, confidante, and more as The Big Issue’s Street Socceroos national coach.

‘It’s funny how you get to represent your country in other ways, years later, in an obscure way that no one would ever have envisaged,’ he says. ‘But it’s a big achievement.’

When people ask Halkias what he does for a living, he tells them he uses sport to help people grow and develop. This includes public speaking engagements at which he shares the stories of the players with whom he works, and the positive effect sport has had on their lives.

The Street Socceroos have a reputation for their kindness and generosity on and off the pitch at the Homeless World Cup (HWC), an annual football event for homeless and marginalised people. So much so that they’ve won the Fair Play award at the two consecutive HWCs they’ve attended.

Halkias has a lot to do with that spirit, leading by example and seemingly anticipating and heading off any potential upsets before they’ve come to pass.

‘As the leader of the team, it starts with me,’ Halkias acknowledges. ‘Obviously I need to demonstrate the philosophies and guidelines and the others come on board. It’s infectious. You’re a product of your environment. Many of the players haven’t had a positive environment. Hopefully, through street soccer, and this team, you lift accordingly.’

Halkias says the apparent smooth sailing is a case of learning more about people over time, picking up subtle hints along the way. ‘You try think about what motivates people, what’s behind a person’s thinking,’ he says. ‘You look at an individual and it doesn’t always tell the full story.’

Nowhere is that more the case than at the HWC, where players have experienced homelessness and marginalisation for reasons as diverse as the countries from which they come. Some have grappled with drug, alcohol, or mental health issues, and sometimes a combination of all three; others were thrown a curve ball by the birth lottery that saw them born in poor or war-torn countries that lack any kind of safety net.

Seven HWCs in, Halkias is one of the most experienced coaches around (as former Socceroo Craig Foster joked, second only to Brazilian icon Carlos Alberto Parreira in terms of the number of World Cups he’s headed).

‘It’s been a pretty special journey,’ Halkias says. ‘A tough journey, in some cases gruelling.’

Two players from previous HWCs have passed away—Bushy, who travelled to South Africa in 2004 and met Desmond Tutu during that trip, and Rick, who travelled to Milan in 2009 and was later diagnosed with leukaemia.

‘Once you do a trip like this,’ Halkias says, ‘you’ve got a bond for life. It gives you a perspective that not many others have. You realise how lucky you have it.’

And as Halkias points out, the success stories from the HWC far, far outweigh the tough moments. ‘One of the things I do is for HWC players is professional and personal reference checks from mainly carers and psychologists. I hear from them firsthand how important the football has been to them. They’ve seen the players over a long period of time. The thanks, the goodwill is amazing; preparing for the HWC is inspiring.’

The event, now in its 11th year, is what Halkias terms something of a ‘longitudinal study’, with how you measure success relative to the individual player.

‘One player who came with us to South Africa, prior to the event lacked motivation, lived in insecure accommodation. Afterwards, he found himself working in a factory in a supervisory role, which was an enormous gain,’ Halkias says. ‘There’s another player from 2008, who overcame his drug and alcohol issues to become a drug and alcohol counsellor. He now brings people to training at our weekly street soccer program.’

People arriving as refugees are being used as political footballs (no pun intended) within Australia right now. It’s these same people who Halkias works closely with and sees a human rather than an adversary through which to score political points.

‘I see the contribution that these players make to our team,’ Halkias says, ‘but also to the wider community. It is phenomenal what people who’ve been through enormous trauma can give back to their country when we give them the chance.’

‘There are myths and misinformation out there,’ Halkias says. ‘We’re probably losing great opportunity to build a stronger community. Some of the participants at our camps share their story, and our players are blown away. Every person can learn from one another, but there has to be an opportunity to share that information.’

The Street Socceroos recorded their first win on Day 4 of the HWC, with each player also having scored at least once throughout the competition by the end of the day’s play. Although the Street Socceroos were always chasing the HWC experience rather than the victory, the length of time prior to chalking up a win made for some challenging moments.

‘The reality is we try and win every game,’ Halkias says, just not at the expense of playing with respect for their opponents and teammates. ‘If you come first or 48th, if you haven’t used the experience to move forward in some way, you might remember you came, but it won’t necessarily help you unless you’ve had some motivations and inspiration from the trip. You learn a lot more in loss and defeat. Most of the players have had loss, even it it’s control of their lives.’

During an interview with the HWC website, Street Socceroo Suzie sagely noted that ‘it is easier to win a soccer game than it is to win in life’. But under Halkias’ stewardship, the players are regaining some control and getting on track for some wins, both on and off the pitch.

The HWC runs in Poznan, Poland until 18 August 2013, with the Street Socceroos in the running for the INSP Trophy.