An exciting role within The Big Issue’s long-standing national community street soccer program. This 5 hours/week role will support our weekly 2-hour Ballarat program which runs Thursday afternoons. 

THE BIG ISSUE COMMUNITY STREET SOCCER PROGRAM

The Big Issue Australia is an independent community organisation that develops and operates social enterprises and creative, sustainable solutions to homelessness; providing opportunities for homeless and marginalised people to positively change their lives.

Our innovative programs and services focus on helping people who are socially disadvantaged, and may otherwise slip through the cracks, to build confidence and the capacity to help themselves.

The Community Street Soccer Program, known as Street Soccer, uses the power of sport to empower homeless, marginalised, and disadvantaged to achieve positive personal outcomes to reach their potential. It changes lives and creates healthier communities across Australia.

Street Soccer involves males and females getting together once a week for fun soccer training and matches. Equipment and a dedicated Street Soccer coach are provided at each location.

The program aims to achieve outcomes for its participants in two key areas: sport access and participation and social inclusion.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

This is a role that allows you to use your interpersonal and communication skills to motivate people in difficult circumstances helping them set themselves achievable goals and encouraging them to seek support for the issues that they may be facing.

The Ballarat Coordinator will be responsible for the coordination and growth of the Street Soccer program in Ballarat. This will include managing volunteers, administering, and developing the program.

The most critical aspect of the role is connecting with the participants and providing them with direction and encouragement to develop and grow as individuals in our community.

Demonstrated experience in a sport or community role would be highly regarded, but not essential. We are looking for someone with a maturity in their attitude, confidence, and natural communication skills to work easily with our clients, other staff members and volunteers.

Key Result Areas

1. Coordinate fortnightly health education activities and guest speakers for the program.
2. Meet all KPI’s for the Ballarat program including:
   1. Weekly Training Sessions
   2. Provision of Peer Support
   3. Player support and informal mentoring
   4. Linkages to community
   5. Specialist activities
   6. Community events and promotional activity
   7. Growing participation numbers
3. Promote the program to a range of support services and recruit participants to the program. 
4. Foster relationships with all council, community organisations, NGOs, and individuals with the aim to increase participation reach attendance targets and ensure support for the CSSP in Ballarat.
5. Provide a level of informal mentoring and role modelling to players at training.
6. Offer information and refer participants on a range of issues such as housing, drug and alcohol dependency, vocational training and mental illness as required.
7. Work collaboratively with other coach and Vic Coordinator to develop and run events and activities.
8. Coordinate a team of volunteers to support training sessions and other events in all areas.

Key Skills and Knowledge

• Highly developed interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work and motivate people facing difficulties in their lives.
• Ability to engage and develop relationships with disadvantaged people.
• Ability to engage and develop relationships with community agencies, government, and business.
• Ability to conduct a basic soccer training session using your personality and creativity to make participants feel relaxed, engaged, and welcome. 
• Knowledge of local services available to disadvantaged people and basic ability to refer players to these organisations.
• Some understanding of factors in health and well-being of homeless people including people with substance abuse issues and mental illness.
• Ability to recruit, train and supervise volunteers.
• Experience in running leisure recreational activities for disadvantaged people would be desirable but not essential.

All positions at The Big Issue are designed to meet the company’s goals. To achieve these goals, we need people who:

• Communicate              
• Support
• Commit
• Lead
• Motivate
• Perform
• Adapt 

Please note that the successful applicant will need a Working with Children check.

A National Police Check, arranged by The Big Issue, will be required prior to any offer of role