Disrupting the cycle of homelessness By Jarrod McAleese
The Big Issue’s Community Street Soccer Program is held weekly to provide marginalised individuals with the opportunity to play football in a safe, supportive environment.
During the two-hour sessions, players take part in training and a friendly match, facilitated by a dedicated team. The premise of the initiative, as described by North Melbourne head coach Danilo Guerrero Diaz, is simple. “It’s about uniting people who are experiencing homelessness or marginalisation by using the language of football – the world game. It’s an opportunity for them to come to us, switch off from their daily life, and leave feeling happier than when they arrived,” said Diaz. Having been involved with The Big Issue for more than six years, Danilo has seen a number of people come and go. And throughout his stint, he’s observed first-hand that it takes time for the program to accomplish its overarching goal – helping people. “The outcomes that we’re trying to achieve, the change that we’re hoping to drive, it’s hard to see in the short term. On the day, everyone’s having
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