Goal is the journey

Cindy, a 31-year-old woman from Hobart, describes the friends she has made through the Big Issue Street Soccer program as family. Thanks to the program, her Christmas day will no longer be spent alone.

“The Christmas that I had was one of the best Christmases I’ve had in years,” she said.

“I actually got what I wanted, just to be able to wake up in a room with someone, just to say ‘good morning, merry Christmas’ and that’s all I’ve ever wanted for quite some time.”

Cindy was one of 56 players who competed in the street soccer national finals over the weekend. Against the backdrop of Darling Harbour, teams from around Australia competed on a purpose built floating football pitch, egged on by a crowd of volunteers and well-wishers.

ACT won the title, but the crowd’s focus was on attitude, not ability.

The street soccer targets men and women suffering from homelessness, debilitating mental illness or other conditions that have led to their falling by the wayside.

Over 3500 people have participated since 2007 and results have been extremely positive. It has helped people to re-engage with their community, improve physical fitness and raise their confidence, according to a LaTrobe University study.

According to Cindy:  “I actually get to interact and socially meet other people, be able to, pretty much have a family, interact with other people better and more confidently.”

Cindy’s advice to others who were thinking of joining the program was: “Always just try your hardest at what you want to do, because you are going to get somewhere, it may not be where you want to be, at the moment, but you can get somewhere, and whatever the road might be it’s still going to be really great.”

Sydney’s Big Issue Street Soccer program is at King George V Recreation Centre on Monday evenings.