It's been impossible to miss the Socceroos' media commitments and Harry Kewell's billboard-scale underwear campaign, but it's possible that some of us missed an equall — -if not more — important announcement amid all the Socceroos excitement.
That is, a long-term partnership between Football Federation Australia and The Big Issue's Street Soccer, a programme that uses football to help homeless and marginalised people turn their lives around.
High five for social and football development in Australia.
Speaking to the crowd of street soccer players and media on Thursday, Jade North talked of how football not only kept him off the street, but helped him to represent his country. 'We have the same goal, the same vision, and that's the round ball,' he said in an impromptu and heartfelt speech.
He and Eugene Galekovic then put the players through some training drills and stayed to sign footballs and have a chat. There were some chuckles and National Street Soccer Coach George Halkias reassured the suddenly shy and awe-inspired players that 'It's ok, they're human. You can talk to them.' But as someone who was equally in awe, I completely understood.
What's apparent to me as an outsider is just how successful the street soccer programme, which is so far in some 30 locations Australia-wide and which helps over 2000 people, is already proving to be. Iranian Enso, who was considered an illegal immigrant under Australian laws when he arrived in the country, has been involved with the program for some years now. He represented Australia in the 2008 Homeless World Cup and has since obtained fully-fledged Australian citizenship, is studying at university, and talks of how the supportive Street Soccer crew are 'like his second family'.
A broken foot wasn't slowing down Estonian-born Silver ('like the colour'), who was awarded Best Male Player at a recent competition, and who was pulling off tricks while on crutches. He did tell cheekily tell me that he'd be supporting Germany in the World Cup because he's a long-time Klinsman fan and because the team boasts such incredible talent (with or without Ballack).
But he was saved by the diplomatic Big Dave (as differentiated from the 'Coach Dave' and 'Disco Dave'), who said that Silver could be forgiven. He hasn't yet seen Australia play (Socceroos games aren't generally broadcast in Estonia). Perhaps, Big Dave gently prompted, Silver would support both Australia and Germany.
It's also great to see that the street soccer program is attracting some female talent to the beautiful game. Sharon used to swim and go to drama classes before being encouraged to come down for a kick around by a friend. She loved it so much that she quit drama, joined the program, and went on to represent Australia in the women's team in the 2008 Homeless World Cup, something that she credits as an 'amazing' experience. Her long-term football goal? To improve and to continue having fun. High five to that too.
