By Natasha Cooper

 MELBOURNE - The mixed bunch of soccer players, wearing equally assorted footy shirts and boots, gathered under an overcast sky for a mid-week training session on a ground in the shadow of a housing estate in suburban Fitzroy.

They were from many nations and differed widely in age and ability, but the game was everything to them as they listened to their coach, George Halkias.

The players - from drug and alcohol rehabilitation units or from refugee and supported-accommodation centres, if they slept with a roof over their head - look on   George as their life coach as well as a football manager.

There was extra excitement at this training session last month as the players were vying for a spot on the Australian squad to play in the annual Homeless World Cup, involving teams from 56 nations, held in Melbourne during the first week of December.

The event was organized by the street newspaper The Big Issue, supported by a Victorian state government package worth $500,000.  This included money to expand the Melbourne-based training program to the cities of Ballarat, Geelong and Shepparton in the lead up to the 2008 World Cup tournament.

Melbourne’s business community also chipped in with sponsorship deals for the tournament, held on special soccer pitches, built to imitate a street surface, on  Federation Square and nearby Birrarung Marr.

During the practice sessions George laughed as he handed out penalties free kicks noting that umpiring was “not as easy as it looks… every player wants support and recognition, so from the moment you get here until the moment you get home, you’re switched on.”

Standing back from the fun was Brian Maher, a founding member of the “Street Socceroos,” who first approached George to form a team for the Homeless World Cup.

“I couldn’t go the last two World Cup  tournaments because I was in prison,” Brian recalled. “But I’m pretty excited about it being in Melbourne.”

Speaking for all the team, he added “George has been great a really good guy.  He’s helped many of us get back on our feet.”

Back at the headquarters of the The Big Issue, the walls are covered with newspaper clippings of the Street Socceroos, but there is no photo of George Halkias.

The 37-years-old George speaks little about himself, except when publicity is good for his homeless players. He was the subject of the Australian Broadcasting Corp. production “Australian Story” in 2006, but he says he never did get see it.

Others did, however, and “it makes my Mum proud,” says George.

Born into a Greek family, George attended Melbourne High School and completed a science degree at the University of Melbourne, majoring in psychology,        

He spent two years in offices of public and Aboriginal housing and six years at the Victims of Crime Agency before becoming regional development coordinator for The Big Issue.

On any day, George might be making a court appearance on behalf of a member of his team, or counselling people in need of help. His drive in supporting the underdog and assuming the role of mentor is not without its price.

“I don’t eat well and I don’t sleep well,” George says. “Sometimes I think I can’t keep going at this pace.  “You gain a different perspective in this line of work; the main thing is you are doing something good for the community.”

And with that he was off to have another kick-about with the soccer ball, showing no sign that he may slow down or take some time out for himself.”

Alan Attwood, editor of The Big Issue, remembers his first day at the magazine coinciding with the ABC airing Australian Story.

“I will always remember that day, said Attwood, “because George reminded me of why I came to work here.

“He’s an extraordinary guy…if he were ever to move on, he would leave a huge whole.”