Big issue soccer program

We run social enterprises to create work opportunities for people who are unable to access mainstream jobs. These enterprises operate much like traditional businesses, except all revenue is put back into the enterprises for the benefit of the individuals involved and broader community.

Our social enterprises not only provide opportunities for people to earn an income, but importantly, to build confidence and their capacity to help themselves.

The people we help come from a range of backgrounds including mental illness, homelessness, long-term unemployment, intellectual and physical disability and drug and alcohol dependency. Learn more. Read Now. George is best known for the development of the Big Issue Street Soccer Program which uses soccer to engage and develop homeless and marginalized people. He was instrumental in successfully bidding for and staging the Melbourne Homeless World Cup and his role included sourcing corporate sponsorship and acting as the public face of the event.

He has made countless appearances on television and radio and is a brilliant media performer. Whilst still involved in the Street Soccer Program which has expanded across Australia, George also acts as an educator, a leadership coach, athlete mentor and works with prisoners with intellectual disabilities and asylum seekers.

In George was awarded a prestigious Vicsport award from the Victorian government for his contribution to community sport. He is also a Youth Work teacher at Victoria University and is sports for development consultant with experience in working in prisons and immigration detention centres.

George has also worked for a range of professional sporting clubs and associations including Melbourne City Football Club where he developed the innovative walking football program targeted at getting seniors active again.

Support staff also work closely with participants, linking them with services that address their individual issues and needs. Street Soccer creates social inclusion and personal change for participants by providing support and promoting participation, inclusiveness, commitment and team spirit.

Through the program we engage participants aged 16 years and above, who in many cases have given up on traditional support systems and services.

Street Soccer puts the person at the centre of the solution and provides them with the support and tools necessary to make positive changes to their lives. Since launching in , the Community Street Soccer Program has engaged more than 10, people. Over this period, many participants have reported positive changes in their lives. For the players, this marks a significant turning point. The federation player program which has gone by several different names represented a continuation of that basic promise of stability.

However, that promise came with strings attached. For years, players essentially had to play in the NWSL if they wanted to be considered for the national team. However, over the years, with European clubs growing in stature and Americans more willing to play abroad, we began to increasingly see issues. Crystal Dunn has gone on the record saying that she felt she had to choose between staying in London and playing for Chelsea, or playing for the USWNT.

The NWSL still remains high quality and competitive, but this opens up more opportunities for more American players to play with more of the best players in the world.