Fig. 14.1
The Homeless World Cup, 2008
The Street Socceroos, are selected from the CSSP program each year as the Australian representative HWC team. To be eligible for selection for the HWC, the athletes must be over the age of 16, have experienced homelessness in the last 2 years, and/or be participating in a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program. Regular participation within CSSP is also required for Australian HWC team selection, as is the ability to cooperate well within the team environment. Australia sent its first team to the HWC in Edinburgh Scotland, in 2005, and has sent a national team to each HWC since [6].
Outcomes and Evaluation
Outcomes
Since its informal beginnings in Melbourne in 2004, the CSSP has engaged more than 5000 homeless, marginalized and disadvantaged people. Over this period, many participants have reported positive changes in their lives.
The CSSP measures its participant and program outcomes via formal evaluations undertaken each year by a partner University (2006–2013 inclusive). These evaluations measure the socio-demographics of the CSSP population, and identify the impacts and outcomes through qualitative interviews with a sample of participants each year, and regular interviews and surveys with coaches and support workers.
The annual evaluations have identified three powerful outcomes for participants across the programs:
1.
Increased physical fitness
2.
Enhanced sense of purpose and structure
In addition to the direct impact on individual participants, Street Soccer is a cost-effective social change program that saves money to the Australian taxpayer. In 2009, an independent study on the program’s economic impact found that participation in Street Soccer led to individual behavior change and a reduction in high-risk activities. The study estimated every $1 invested in the Street Soccer program generated a saving of $4.30 to the Australian community. Based on the program’s operating costs, it estimated that Street Soccer saved society $7 million per year [8].
Evaluation
Formal evaluations of the CSSP have been undertaken annually by the author to investigate the socio-demographics and participant outcomes of the project. These evaluations have been undertaken both to enhance the program in a process of quality improvement, and to meet external funding requirements.
Each evaluation has focused primarily on the outcomes for players from participation in the program, specifically addressing the following research questions:
1.
Who are the people accessing the CSSP?
2.
What are the motivations for these people to participate in the CSSP?
3.
What are the benefits or outcomes that participants receive from participating in the CSSP?
In addition to the participant interviews, coaches and agency support workers involved in the program are also interviewed or surveyed to provide their feedback and reflect on the program and outcomes for participants. Evaluation reports have been presented to The Big Issue and funding bodies for 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012, and 2013 [9].
Results from the most recent evaluation study (2013) [7] found:
A wide variety of participants were engaged in the CSSP across Australia
Over half of the participants were dealing with issues such as: alcohol and substance abuse problems and mental illness
There was a small but significant number of participants with an intellectual disability
The majority of participants reported that they were currently in stable, although not in ideal, accommodation
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