The Women’s World Cup is fast approaching, but a team of Australians are competing in a World Cup of a different kind.
Seven people from across the country have been selected to represent Australia at the Homeless World Cup in Sacramento, USA.
Seven Australians have been selected to compete in the Homeless World Cup (Provided: Lightbulb Studios)
The Street Socceroos were chosen as part of a national street football program run by non-profit charity The Big Issue.
The competition brings together disadvantaged people, homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
Caity has been training hard with her local street football group in Canberra in the ACT in preparation for the tournament.
“It’s a huge deal for me, I’m so excited,” said the Street Socceroos player.
What is the Homeless World Cup?
The Homeless World Cup Foundation brings together 40 teams from around the world, with around 500 players participating.
Most players are or have been homeless or have been in rehabilitation centers.
The matches are different from a regular football match, lasting 15 minutes each with four players per team on a smaller pitch.
Caity says street football played a key role in his recovery. (ABC News: Adam Kennedy)
“Like most of the team, I’ve never been to America before, so it’s going to be a huge new experience,” Caity said.
“We can… hopefully create some great memories and a new experience together in a really supportive environment.”
However, it was a long road for Caity to get there. And she still faces a daily struggle.
In 2015, she was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and has been hospitalized several times since.
“After one of my hospitalizations in 2019, one of my rehab workers took me to soccer,” Caity said.
“At first I was very worried because I hadn’t played football for a very long time, but then I arrived and everyone was super friendly.
“This was fundamental to my recovery.“
Caity credits the program with improving the lives of people like her who have been disadvantaged.
“I think people who experience disadvantage can very easily be forgotten and the whole subject can sort of be swept under the rug,” she said.
“I know…seeing the gang, everyone is happy to see you. It makes a huge difference to people’s well-being from week to week.”
Jimmy is the goalkeeper of the Street Socceroos. (Credit: Rani Hayman, ABC News)
Caity’s teammate James, or “Jimmy” as he is affectionately known on the pitch, will act as goalkeeper.
“I hope I make a few decent saves,” he said.
“I guess with football it doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from – none of that matters when you’re on the field.“
Jimmy has been homeless since the breakdown of his marriage in Western Australia.
“I moved to Melbourne about three years ago after going through a tough time in WA and losing almost everything,” he said.
“I came to Melbourne and basically nothing. And then I kind of started again, started couch surfing and went to rehab.”
“Almost my whole life I struggled with alcohol.”
Street football, a support system
After several attempts, Jimmy says, he has now been three years sober.
He said he found a “family” with his street soccer group and attributes some of his growth to his participation.
“It’s pretty good for my mental health. I’ve kind of struggled with anxiety and isolating myself,” he said.
“(You) create your own little community, which is one of the good things in place to help you move forward and create a decent life.”
For Jimmy, the Street Socceroos family is a support system. (Credit: Rani Hayman, ABC News)
National Street Soccer coach George Halkias has led the program since it launched in Melbourne in 2004.
“(Participants) address a range of diversity in mental health issues, substance abuse, some come from immigrant backgrounds, but (they) are generally considered homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.”
He said the team was not only looking to win, but also to fight for a trophy apart from the top gong.
“It’s been a few years since the last time this World Cup (was held) because of COVID, so I’m pretty excited to go see some family members,” he said.
“We are winners no matter where we finish…what really matters is the experience you had.”
“Our main focus is individual personal development, but we also aim for one of the trophies called the Fair Play Trophy, which is really about representing a country with distinction, playing with respect and fair play.”
The tournament takes place from July 9 to 15.
