Reducing homelessness in the Northern Territory is the goal of the NT's first community street soccer match. The game will be held today from 4.00 to 6.00 pm at Chrisp Street Oval in Rapid Creek. The public are encouraged to attend.
Street soccer sees homeless males and females of all ages and abilities meeting once a week for training and matches. Permanent pitches, equipment and a dedicated coach are provided, and support staff work closely with players, linking them to services that address their issues and needs.
The Department of Health and Families has contributed over $22,000 to developing and implementing the Street Soccer program for Darwin.
Jenny Scott, Executive Director of Families and Children said, "Street soccer has enjoyed great success in other urban areas of Australia, so we've provided funding to explore the possibility of it helping to reduce homelessness in the Darwin Urban region.
"This is part of our ongoing commitment to working with people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The Street Soccer program helps people to help themselves make positive changes in their lives," Ms Scott added.
It is anticipated that four players from the NT will most likely go on to join the team representing Australia in the 2010 World Homeless Street Soccer Cup to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Today's event is part of National Homeless Persons' Week (2-8 August), and is an initiative of 'The Big Issue', a social enterprise providing creative solutions to the issue of homelessness.
Media contacts: Darrel Trueman 0401 116 203, Gino Luglietti 0401 116 144
Release date: Friday 7 August 2009