Igor
July 3rd, 2006, 11:08 AM
Melbourne has won the right to host the 2008 Homeless World Cup.
Announcing the news at The Big Issue’s tenth anniversary celebrations, Sport and Recreation Minister Justin Madden said Melbourne had beaten off competition from the UK, Italy and Switzerland for the street soccer tournament in 2008.
He said the Bracks Government had supported the bid through a $500,000 package that included $350,000 to expand a Melbourne-based soccer training programs into Ballarat, Geelong and Shepparton in the lead up to 2008.
Mr Madden said the soccer training program for people experiencing long term unemployment or homelessness was a successful way of putting people in touch with support services and mentors.
“The homeless soccer competition is another great example of the positive power of sport to build confidence and resilience and connect people to health and welfare services. The Big Issue’s soccer training program in Fitzroy has been a lifeline for many people experiencing homelessness,” Mr Madden said.
Mr Madden said the expanded soccer training would lead to selection tournaments to choose a team to represent Australia in the lead up to November 2008. There will be a significant increase in the number of people engaged in training and mentoring as a result of the extra funding.
Mr Madden said the project aimed to increase public understanding of homelessness and the circumstances that contributed to it.
Apparently we're also in the running for the Tour de Destitute - contestants have to push their shopping trolleys up and down Mt Buller.
Also, Socceroo stamps...
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,19665312-29277,00.html
Announcing the news at The Big Issue’s tenth anniversary celebrations, Sport and Recreation Minister Justin Madden said Melbourne had beaten off competition from the UK, Italy and Switzerland for the street soccer tournament in 2008.
He said the Bracks Government had supported the bid through a $500,000 package that included $350,000 to expand a Melbourne-based soccer training programs into Ballarat, Geelong and Shepparton in the lead up to 2008.
Mr Madden said the soccer training program for people experiencing long term unemployment or homelessness was a successful way of putting people in touch with support services and mentors.
“The homeless soccer competition is another great example of the positive power of sport to build confidence and resilience and connect people to health and welfare services. The Big Issue’s soccer training program in Fitzroy has been a lifeline for many people experiencing homelessness,” Mr Madden said.
Mr Madden said the expanded soccer training would lead to selection tournaments to choose a team to represent Australia in the lead up to November 2008. There will be a significant increase in the number of people engaged in training and mentoring as a result of the extra funding.
Mr Madden said the project aimed to increase public understanding of homelessness and the circumstances that contributed to it.
Apparently we're also in the running for the Tour de Destitute - contestants have to push their shopping trolleys up and down Mt Buller.
Also, Socceroo stamps...
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,19665312-29277,00.html