Countdown: 100 days until Melbourne 2008
Posted on 27/08/2008
There was call for celebration today as we launched the 100 day countdown to the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup.
An energised crowd gathered in the heart of Melbourne, at Federation Square, as Victorian Premier John Brumby commended the Homeless World Cup street soccer tournament as an innovative way to raise awareness of the issues of homelessness.
Executive Director of the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup, Steven Persson, said the Homeless World Cup was the pinnacle of grassroots street soccer programs that operated across the globe.
“The Big Issue is extremely proud to host an event that provides fresh solutions to homelessness and encourages people to make change on a global scale,” Mr Persson said.
The face of the world game in Australia, Mr Les Murray AM, MCed the event. He was joined by some of the newly appointed ambassadors of the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup including Former Australian Socceroo and SBS presenter Mr Craig Foster, along with the Australian Matildas goalkeeper Ms Melissa Barbieri.
The new TV commercial was unveiled and Premier John Brumby announced that for the first time in Homeless World Cup history, a Women’s Cup would be included at the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup.
The new Women’s Cup will give women around the world more opportunities to change their lives, just like Katie did, competing at the Edinburgh 2005 Homeless World Cup.
In a truly uplifting speech, Katie explained how her experiences in Edinburgh and ongoing involvement in the Street Soccer Program has changed her life over the past three years.
“The Homeless World Cup is an opportunity to show the world that homeless people can do some amazing things,” Katie said. “In my opinion homeless people don’t want just charity and hand outs, they want opportunities and understanding.
“That’s why soccer and the Homeless World Cup are so great. We make the choice to go to training and we do all the hard work. We help ourselves. And we are empowered.
Katie also gave us a taste of what to expect in Melbourne. “It’s a serious issue and a serious event but you should know it’s heaps of fun, there’s lots of dancing and singing and lots of smiles.”
And the smiles were certainly out when it was time to officially mark the 100 day countdown with a penalty shootout between Victorian street soccer player, "Pommie", and the distinguished guests.
From the sidelines a sea of sponsors, stakeholders, media, volunteers, players past and present, government leaders, ambassadors, school children and friends cheered on. The crowd was diverse, but they shared a passion for this unique world event and a commitment to make the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup an experience to remember.
It’ll be all hands on deck from here in as hundreds of volunteers join the ranks preparing for December. We can’t wait to welcome you in just under 100 days!
The Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup takes place from December 1-7 at Federation Square and Birrarung Marr. Entry to the event is free.
Top photo - Street Socceroos past and potential with (back row) Craig Foster, Les Murray, George Halkias, Richard Wynne the Victorian Minister for Housing, (front row) Helen Willoughby, James Merlino the Victorian Minister for Sport and Recreation, Melissa Barbieri, Premier John Brumby, Chair of the street soccer Advisory group Terry Campbell.
Bottom photo - Premier John Brumby kicks off the launch.
Photos by Michael Brown - Photoworx.
