Aussie favourites win FIFPRO Fair Play Award on Day 1
“We can talk about who the favourites are to win the football, like Mexico or Brazil. When you can then talk about who the favourites are to win the FIFPRO Fair Play Award on the first day? That would be Australia.”
Those are the words of Homeless World Cup co-founder Mel Young recognising Australia’s Street Socceroos’ history of embodying the spirit of fair play that saw them awarded the 2024 tournament’s first FIFPRO Fair Play Award. “To me, it’s the epitome of the whole program in Australia, and the way it’s actually implemented on the ground,” Young says. “What Australia always do is bring that fair play element—not that anybody else doesn’t do it; everybody does. But everybody gets that that fair play spirit is within the DNA of the Australian team. So in some ways, it’s very apt that they won it today, the first day in Seoul.”
The Australians were nominated for the award on Day 1 because they set the tournament tone well. Treating their Cambodian opposition with the utmost respect, they were gracious in victory, having jagged a goal and the match-winning lead just before the final whistle. Then, as was customary, the Australians invited the Cambodians into the team huddle where they sang the team’s anthem. The inclusive song lyrics are that “We are one, but we are many … I am, you are, we are Australian.”
Notably, the team received the award wearing black shirts featuring the Aboriginal flag in tribute to First Nations Australian player and captain for the day, Michael. The shirts were emblematic of the inclusiveness with which the team operates.
The team was understandably chuffed to have won a FIFPRO Fair Play Award, and on Day 1 no less. ‘We have team goals and individual goals, and this is the number one goal, which is to win one of these awards,’ coach George Halkias explains. “Silverware after Day 1 doesn’t often happen. That’s [testament] to the commitment and effort by the players … it’s a good symbol of their efforts.” Ultimately, he says, “That’s the values of the program, which are shown by 400 or 500 players each week. We just come and demonstrate that, or the players do. Generally, it’s recognised and rewarded, and we’re proud of that. These medals also belong to all those hundreds of players across Australia and the coaches and the staff and the organisation, because they drive that culture. That leadership just shows when we’re here on exhibition.”
Such leadership is demonstrated by, for example, player Faz. As one of the stronger players on the pitch, Faz tailors his playing style and level to suit his teammates and opponents. He is unselfish in front of goal and consistently shares the ball and sets others up with good goal-scoring opportunities. He speaks of the ‘good vibe’ that emanates from playing in such a way. “That was so amazing,” he says of receiving the award, “especially when you can encourage other people.”
Words: Fiona Crawford
Photos: Anita Milas