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STREET SOCCER SUPPORTING HOMELESS AND MARGINALISED |
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Written by Brendan O'Connor
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Thursday, 25 February 2010 |
 Suits and Bills were swapped for sneakers and balls as Brendan O’Connor and other Federal politicians played with and against homeless and disadvantaged Street Soccer players in front of Parliament House today.
Street Soccer players from Canberra and members of the Senate and House of Representatives played a six-game soccer tournament to highlight the achievements of, and pay special tribute to, the men and women involved in the Big Issue’s Community Street Soccer Program.
To show his support for the program and for homeless and marginalised Australians, Mr O’Connor played in the House of Representatives team alongside Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner, Minister for Veteran’s Affairs Alan Griffin and local Canberra Street Soccer players.
Mr O’Connor said his team fought valiantly, despite coming last of four teams.
The Senate team defeated the mixed Parliamentary team for first place, taking out the major trophy.
“The Community Street Soccer Program transforms lives by reconnecting people with the community and providing them with a real sense of purpose and belonging,” Mr O’Connor said.
“This morning’s event was not only fun for all involved, it was inspiring to see how these people had been able to change their lives around through sport.”
“Street Soccer not only helps our most marginalised link into to support services, it boosts their self-esteem and offers them a vision for a brighter future.”
“This program reaches Australia’s most disadvantaged and under-privileged, that it why I am proud the Federal Government is supporting this program,” Mr O’Connor said.
The Big Issue CEO Steven Persson said:“Following the Federal Government’s agreement with The Big Issue in 2008 to support Phase 1 of the Community Street Soccer Program by providing $3 million over three years, it has made us so very proud to see the expansion of Street Soccer across Australia, changing lives and building healthy communities,” Mr Persson said.
“The support of the Federal Government is instrumental in ensuring the Community Street Soccer Program can reach into the most disadvantaged and under-privileged areas of Australia, delivering lasting legacies of support for homeless and marginalised people.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 26 February 2010 )
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