'Bigger and better things' for Street Socceroos

Match results aren't the most important outcome of the Homeless World Cup - it's the 80 per cent of players who go on to find jobs and homes and a life off the street.

The five-year-old tournament designed to help homeless people toward a better life will be held in Australia this year at Melbourne's Federation Square from December 1 to 7.

Tournament founder Mel Young is hoping the Melbourne tournament will have the same impact as previous events.

"We got feedback from the results, which was an 80 per cent change - people getting jobs, houses, a lot going onto further education, staying in sport," said the Scot, who founded the tournament in 2003.

"They're coming off drugs and alcohol, so the results are really fantastic."

Australian captain Adam Smith says the project and his team, which he described as a "family within itself", gives the players the opportunity to empower themselves.

"Once you get here, you get welcomed with open arms, it doesn't matter who you are, what you've done, where you've been and what you're doing," Mr Smith said at his team's weekly training session at Napier Oval in Fitzroy Tuesday.

"As long as you turn up here sober and drug-free, and don't start fights with anyone, you have a great time down here."

Mr Smith, 42, who competed in last year's World Cup in Copenhagen, said the team policed the rules, not the coach.

"We claim these rules as individuals, rather than something the coach tells us - and we adopt them as a group," Smith said.

"It creates a safe environment for people to come to, which is what a lot of people are after."

"Bushy", an Australian veteran of two World Cups, said the group had given him stability in his often "nomadic" life.

"It let's me work off energy - I have ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and it's been great socially, for friendships - the whole lot, of what soccer offers," Bushy, 33, said.

"I'm in transitional housing now ... this is one thing that helps me stay in the one spot."

Mr Young's popular program has now reached more than 60 countries and its potential for growth is enormous, he says.

Homelessness is a significant problem in Australia, with more than 100,000 people living on the streets.

Mr Young said football brought people together, helping to confront the social issues that have devastated homeless people.

"You've got teamwork, and fun, it seems to have a formula that works and that's why we work so hard in this and why it's grown," he said.

Australian coach George Halkias said the Melbourne program started three-and-a-half years ago and would continue to spread in Australian communities, in regional towns, capital cities and indigenous communities.

"Part of the project is we try to move the players on to bigger and better things, if they need more support we can give them this," Mr Halkias said.