The Big Issue magazine’s Community Street Soccer Program has been chosen as a finalist among the nominees for the Encouraging Physcial Activity category at the 2015 VicHealth Awards. It has been selected from over 115 entries around Victoria. The VicHealth awards are an annual event celebrating great projects that work towards community building for happier members.

The announcement for the 2015 VicHealth awards winner will be done on Dec 1.

The street soccer program is a community building project of The Big Issue, serving to improve health outcomes for the disadvantaged and homeless. It is funded by the Federal government and has engaged over 6,000 people experiencing homelessness, disadvantage and marginalisation all over the country since 2007. It features both women and men aged 16 years and over with activities operating in 18 locations across Australia.

The program has also served to engage numerous people who, in many cases, have given up on traditional support systems and people who have given up on traditional support systems and counselling.

“This programme is helping to improve health awareness and access to physical activity to assist marginalised and disadvantaged Australians to engage in positive health practices,” Sussan Ley, Minister for Health and Sport, said in a press release. “Promoting physical activity is only one aspect of the programme, which helps build participants self-esteem and wellbeing in an inclusive team environment.”

Players from all backgrounds in the program come together once a week with a commitment to improve their physical and mental health. Meeting new people serves to benefit participants from social inclusion, while engaging in a group sporting activity improves health and happiness for them.

“We are thrilled to be named as a finalist in the 2015 VicHealth Awards and to be recognised as one of Australia’s most successful 'sport for change' programs,” Steven Persson, CEO of The Big Issue, said in the press release.

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