Metlink has announced a partnership with the A-League’s Melbourne Heart that will see the new club and public transport industry take part in Street Soccer training sessions with marginalised people in the community.

As the club’s inaugural short sponsor for the Hyundai A-League 2010/11 season, Metlink will use the badgeing rights of the Heart’s ‘back of short’ sponsorship to promote the Community Street Soccer Program.
 
The program works to engage homeless and marginalised members of Melbourne’s community in organised training and development sessions and with Metlink’s support, selected sessions will be lead by the Heart’s Head Coach John van ‘t Schip.

Metlink CEO Dale Larkin believes that there is a direct and real relationship between sport, public transport and the city’s underprivileged and that bringing them together in a positive initiative is a genuine community builder.
 
 “This partnership is extremely relevant to public transport as many staff come across disadvantaged and marginalised people on our network everyday,” he said.
 
“Teaming up with Heart and involving their players and our staff in the Street Soccer program will help to create better interactions on the network.
 
“We know that sport creates strong bonds between people, whether it’s watching it or taking part.
 
“Street Soccer participants and our staff will also come together at Melbourne Heart games and share pre-match barbeques to really forge these ties, find common ground and develop trust amongst the group.”

The ‘Heart’ of the Community Street Soccer Program involves weekly training sessions at permanent pitches located in 30 underprivileged communities across Australia, where playing equipment and a dedicated soccer coach are provided.
 
Participants get fit, make new friends and seek support and advice. Support staff also work closely with players, linking them to services that address homelessness, substance abuse, family breakdown, grief and loss and mental illness.
 
To find out more about The Big Issue’s Community Street Soccer Program, visit streetsoccer.org.au (link opens in a new window)