News

Alex Marshall, resident of Wesley Mission’s supported accommodation program in inner Sydney, comes home exultant this week after captaining Australia’s Street Socceroos at the Homeless World Cup held in Melbourne during 1 – 7 December.

The Homeless World Cup brought together teams of homeless men and women from many countries in a competition sponsored by The Big Issue, which champions the welfare of homeless people around the world.

Afghanistan won the tense final 5-4 against Russia.

Alex, 27, captained the NSW Socceroos and when the national squad was formed, he was chosen to be the skipper. He was also honoured with the award of The Players’ Player.

Robert Neligan, Senior Coordinator of Wesley Community Housing Supported Accommodation, coached the NSW Street Socceroos and is justifiably proud of what Alex and his fellow Socceroos have achieved.

Robert told Wesley Mission’s Impact! magazine that the Homeless World Cup, apart from being a good sporting spectacle, was aimed at breaking down stereotypes towards homeless and marginalized people and showing what people can achieve when given the opportunity and support.

“Research shows that over seventy per cent of players go on to make significant changes in their lives as a result of participating in the Homeless World Cup,” he said.

The players were selected from hundreds of homeless and marginalised people across the country involved in a weekly street soccer program coordinated by The Big Issue. The program uses sport as a catalyst to transform lives by reconnecting homeless and marginalised people with the community and working to rebuild the players’ confidence and self-esteem.

Robert, who had the privilege of watching three days of non-stop soccer action and excitement at the Homeless World Cup, said it was a wonderful experience which culminated in over 6000 spectators crowding the stands and every available space on Sunday to watch the final.

“The SBS TV coverage of the final was first class, with SBS soccer guru Les Murray and former Australian International player Craig Foster doing the commentary and praising the quality of the game and more importantly the success of the tournament,” he said.

Robert said that he was extremely proud of Alex and the Australian team who finished in 22nd position – a great improvement on the 43rd placing in the previous two Homeless World Cups.

“The atmosphere throughout the tournament was electric and very colourful with national anthems, national flags with all teams being well supported by the large crowds that turned up every day,” he said.

“It was great to see players from so many countries put aside their countries’ problems and their own personal issues and let sport be the winner. Although all the countries were very competitive, there was always a special bond between the players and I am sure that everyone who participated will never forget this experience of a lifetime,” Robert said.

Alex Marshall said it had been an honour to represent Australia.

Alex is a young man with plenty of determination to give life his best shot. He is studying for an Honours degree in archeology and Roman history at the University of New England in Armidale where, while studying for his Bachelor of Arts (BA), he first became homeless.

Read about the Street Socceroos’ first matches in the Homeless World Cup (the player on the left in the photo is Alex).

- Dinoo Kelleghan, Public Affairs Officer, Public Affairs