Responsible Tourism

KickinIt (Homeless World Cup)

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Trip highlights

We are thrilled to be the official partner of the Homeless World Cup, to be hosted in Melbourne from December 1-7, 2008! And we are offering a 17 day trip from November 29 to December 15 that gets you involved at the tournament and then explores some of Australia's scenic highlights - Sydney, the Blue Mountains, the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef!

Your "Taste of Volunteering" Project:

Volunteers are needed as:
- Online Match Reporters
- Match Photographers
- Photographer Assistants
- Media Assistants
- Access Monitors
- Catering Assistants - Competition Venue
- Catering Assistants - Player Village
- Player Storage/Changing Rooms Monitor

Trip Summary

The Homeless World Cup is an annual, international football tournament, uniting teams of homeless, excluded individuals in a once in a lifetime opportunity to represent their country and change their lives. The event attracts around 25,000 people who take part in training and trials around the world, with the top 500 players from 48 nations competing at the Homeless World Cup.

The Homeless World Cup, established by social entrepreneur, Mel Young, who launched the Big Issue magazines in 1993, supports and inspires grass roots projects around the world working with homeless and excluded people. Supporters include UEFA, Nike, UN, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Eric Cantona and international footballers Didier Drogba and Rio Ferdinand. The 2008 event will be hosted by The Big Issue Australia with the support of the state government.

You will arrive into Melbourne on the 29th of November, and begin with a private coach tour of the city. You will have the rest of the day to settle in at the Enterprise Hotel - your base for the next 10 nights. The 30th of November is a briefing day ahead of your crucial role at the World Cup, which begins on the 1st of December.
Your shifts as a volunteer are for 8 hours at a time. Indicative shift times are: 07:30 - 15:30 and 15:00 - 23:00
The tournament runs from the 1st - 7th December. There is a big party on the 7th, and so the 8th is a free day for you to recover and enjoy Melbourne.
On the 9th of December, we fly to Sydney where you have another private tour.
The 10th of December is a free day for you to enjoy one of the world's greatest cities.
The 11th of December is a Full Day tour to the Blue Mountains with private coach.
On the 12th of December, we fly to Cairns and check-in to the Mercure Hotel (Mountain View Room). The rest of the day is yours at leisure.
The following day is the Great Barrier Reef! Sunlover Reef Cruises' luxury cruises to Moore Reef offer the ultimate Great Barrier Reef experience for people of all ages.
For your final full day on this trip, you go to the Daintree Rain Forest with private coach.

Itinerary

29-Nov Arrive Melbourne
30-Nov World Cup Briefing
1-7 Dec Volunteering
08-Dec Rest day in Melbourne
09-Dec Fly to Sydney; city tour
10-Dec Free day in Sydney
11-Dec Blue Mountains
12-Dec Fly to Cairns
13-Dec Great Barrier Reef
14-Dec Daintree Rainforest
15-Dec Trip ends (optional extensions begin)

Flights arrangements:
Flights are not included but we can arrange them as we are fully ATOL licensed. For instance, return flights from the UK on Qantas, including all your domestic flights, are £1,150, when purchased with your trip.

Trip COMMENCEMENT date:
29 November 2008
Please note that you should depart the day before the above dates from your country of origin.

What are the benefits to the communities?

The impact of the Homeless World Cup on participant's lives is significant, with around three quarters of players changing their lives for the better by coming off drugs and alcohol, getting jobs, an education, homes, training or being reunited with their families. Some even go on to become players and coaches for pro or semi-pro football teams! By volunteering in any capacity at the Homeless World Cup, you can take part to that fantastic event and actively help transform people's lives!

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