A massive and unusual charity event is set to take place in a highly-public venue - floating in the middle of Darling Harbour.
The Big Issue Street Football Festival is returning for its second year of intense action - challenging corporate teams "to do battle away from the boardroom" while raising awareness and funds for marginalised Australians.
As part of its Community Street Soccer Program (CSSP), The Big Issue is hoping to raise upwards of $90,000 from team registrations.
The initiative sees teams slugging it out - metaphorically - on the field in a range of 15-minute qualifying matches to be held on a custom-made floating field on the waters of Cockle Bay in Sydney, with the finals held over April 21 and 22.
Players can join a number of events, including a junior league, corporate competition and a dedicated government agency cup.
Chief executive of The Big Issue Steven Persson explained that the nonprofit marketing event gave businesses the opportunity to develop valuable teamwork skills, while at the same time supporting some of the nation's more vulnerable individuals.
Mr Persson asserted: "Street Soccer has changed the lives of thousands of people through the power of sport, and this is an opportunity for Corporate Australia to help us continue to build on and improve the program."
Last year there were 13 teams competing for the prime spot - with BNP Paribas taking the premiership ahead of quality players from Macquarie Bank, NAB and Freehills.
In light of the success of the 2011 event - which saw the involvement of 600 players over 148 matches - the program has been expanded to accommodate a total of 15 teams in the competition.
A floodlit floating pitch means that all matches are free for the public to watch, with families encouraged to get down to Darling Harbour over the 11 days of competition to see some passionate players and fancy footwork all in the name of charity.
The CSSP provides an avenue for the promotion of "social inclusion and personal change for homeless, marginalised and disadvantaged people" through regular sporting and recreation meetings.
Sponsorship from major commercial partner such as Nike, BHP Billiton and Goldman Sachs has certainly helped to boost the funding that the CSSP has available, but greater awareness of the services it provides to homeless and marginalised Australians is always a good marketing move.
