GENERAL INFORMATION
About the Homeless World Cup
The Homeless World Cup is a world-class, annual, international football tournament that uses football as a catalyst to encourage people who are homeless to change their lives; and to change the attitudes of governments, media, public and key influencers to create better solutions to homelessness around the world.
The global event unites teams of people who are homeless to take a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent their country in an unique street soccer tournament. It has triggered and supports grass-roots football programs in over 60 nations engaging 30,000 homeless players all year round.
At the sixth Homeless World Cup in Melbourne on December 1-7, 2008, 56 nations will be united for the biggest Homeless World Cup ever, including the first Women’s Cup. The event’s legacy will be the roll out of 30 street soccer programs across Australia.
The inaugural Homeless World Cup kicked off in Graz, Austria, uniting 18 nations. Since then it has gained great momentum in Gothenburg, Sweden (2004), Edinburgh, Scotland (2005), Cape Town, South Africa (2006) and Copenhagen, Denmark (2007). It will visit Milan, Italy in 2009.
Research consistently demonstrates that over 70 per cent of players experience a significant life change. They come off drugs and alcohol, move into homes, jobs, education and training, repair relationships and even become coaches and players.
Founded by world-leading social entrepreneur Mel Young, the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup is hosted by The Big Issue Australia and supported by UEFA, Nike, Vodafone Group Foundation, the Victorian Government, City of Melbourne, Goldman Sachs JBWere, BHP Billiton, Jo-Anne and Greg Beirne, Macquarie Group Foundation, Global Ambassador Eric Cantona and international footballers Didier Drogba and Rio Ferdinand, and National Ambassadors Mr Les Murray AM; former Australian Socceroo Mr Craig Foster; captain of Melbourne Victory FC Mr Kevin Muscat; and Australian women’s soccer team goalkeeper, the Matildas’ Ms Melissa Barbieri.
Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup
Dates: 1-7 December 2008
Final: Sunday 7 December, 2008
Venue: Federation Square and Birrarung Marr
Teams: 56 nations
Estimated audience: Approximately 6,000 spectators per day
Entry: Free (non-ticketed)
Pitch: Street Soccer pitch measures 22m x 16m
Match Duration: 14 minutes, 2 x 7 minute halves
On Pitch: 4 players per side - one goalkeeper and 3 field players
Nations participating:
Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, England, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Lithuania, Malawi, Mexico, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Timor-Leste, Uganda, Ukraine, USA, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
About The Big Issue
The Big Issue is extremely proud to host the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup, an event that provides fresh solutions to homelessness and encourages people to make change on a global scale. The Big Issue’s street soccer program currently works with hundreds of homeless and marginalised people across Australia, providing support and assistance for players to get their lives back on track. The Homeless World Cup will leave an enduring legacy with the expansion to over 30 sites across Australia, engaging an estimated 1200 players.
The Player Impact
Research after the Copenhagen 2007 Homeless World Cup once again demonstrated a significant impact amongst 381 players revisited six months after the event:
93% of players have a new motivation for life (354 players)
83% have improved social relations (316 players)
71% have significantly changed their life (271 players)
29% found employment (110 players)
38% improved their housing situation (145 players)
32% went into education (122 players)
118 players addressed a drug or alcohol dependency
71% now play football on a regular basis (271 players)
Source: Homeless World Cup
Testimonials
“All over the world, I want to say, we’ve got to end homelessness. Everyone should have a home; it’s a right not a privilege.” Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu speaking at the Cape Town 2006 Homeless World Cup
“…an outstanding example of how the positive potential of sport can play a vital role in promoting health, education, development and peace.” Mr. Adolf Ogi, Previously Special Adviser to UN Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace
“…sport can be a very powerful tool for positive social change. We applaud Mel and his team for combining the magic of sport with an innovative social program.” Maria Bobenrieth, Global Director, Nike Let Me Play
“I feel like I am a real citizen for the first time in my life. It was almost like becoming a football star. I have discovered a new person, a better person inside of me.” Joao Semedo (21) Portugal, Edinburgh 2005 Homeless World Cup
"The Homeless World Cup can change the life of anyone, so that they can become a man, in everyday life. And that means above all developing values, human values, which I think are very important." Didier Drogba, Chelsea FC
“The Homeless World Cup has shown that football is a powerful tool in changing people’s lives, and it’s great that we can play a part in that.” Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United
For further information please contact:
Sandra Del Monaco
Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup
m: 0438 844 328
p: 03 9658 9939
e: sdmonaco@bigissue.org.au
w: www.homelessworldcup.org
tv: www.homelessworldcup.tv
Kat Byles
Communications & Media Director
Homeless World Cup
m: +44 (0)7901 701 334
e: kat@homelessworldcup.org
