Fighting homelessness with football

Mental illness, homelessness and substance abuse, are challenges that a group began tackling on the streets of Melbourne two decades ago.

Reclink did it so well, that it's now a national competition, celebrating the power of drawing people together.

The matches the group plays are about more than kicks and marks.

Former street outreach worker Peter Cullen founded Reclink twenty years ago after identifying the power of team sport in social inclusion for the disadvantaged.

He says it's about one thing.

"It's totally about community - having real community in your life and I think when people develop belonging they develop the strength to go forward", Cullen says.

Twenty years on it's grown from kick-to-kick in a back alley to 50 teams and seven leagues accross five states; including one in Alice Springs which includes several teams from remote desert communities.

Yesterday, Peter Cullen returned to the street to spread the word.

Brian Presnell plays for the Sacred Heart Saints, and has spent the majority of his life on the street

"I been raped in St. Kilda; I was on the run for three years", he says. "I've never really been in my own home, I got no family."

But football - specifically Reclink - helped turn his life around, offering the discipline of regular training, a team environment, and purpose

"Now I know how to fight back and I fight back with this and with my heart, and Reclink have shown me how to do that."

While the 20th anniversary offered a chance to reflect, today there was footy to be played.

Brian's Saints were keen to secure the silverware

The Hawks looked sharp early, but Sacred Heart Saints stormed home, and the celebrations began.

"Winnin the game was deadly, the best thing I ever felt", one player said.

"It's as good as an AFL grand final", said another.

Reclink's goal now is to establish 100 teams across Australia.

You can also watch the video here.