George Halkias is a well-respected community leader who has supported, motivated, inspired and educated Australians for almost 20 years.

With post graduate qualifications in psychology, his early work experience included managing a state-wide support service for victims of violent crime and training police graduates in the area of victim rights and support.

“George is truly a people person. He relates to everyone and through his positivity and encouragement makes people want to achieve their best.”
— LaTrobe University

George is best known for co-founding the Big Issue Street Soccer Program which uses soccer or football to support homeless and marginalized people. The program began as a pilot in the public housing estates in Melbourne and since expanded across the country.

He has coached and coordinated Australian teams at Homeless World Cup events in: Edinburgh 2005, Cape Town 2006, Copenhagen 2007, Melbourne 2008, Milan 2009, Paris 2011, Poznan 2013, Glasgow 2016, Oslo 2017, Cardiff 2019, Sacramento 2023 and Seoul 2024. This has involved the complex process of selection and supporting the team to perform on and off the pitch in a uniquely challenging and rewarding environment.

He was also instrumental in successfully bidding for and staging the 2008 Melbourne Homeless World Cup and his role included sourcing corporate sponsorship and acting as the public face of the event.

George’s experience with his team in Cape Town was profiled on the ABC’s Australian Story, the episode aptly named George’s Best whilst the 2023 campaign in Seoul, South Korea was profiled by 60 Minutes Australia.

George continues to drive the Big Issue Community Street Soccer Program and its Homeless World Cup Campaigns and is also a Sport for Development consultant to a range of organizations including professional sporting clubs, associations and governments. George was also recognised by Vicsport and the State Government of Victoria for his Service to Victorian Community Sport and Recreation at the 2016 Victorian Sports Awards and has received a Paul Harris Fellowship through Rotary. George and his assistants were also awarded UEFA Best Coaching Team at the 2019 Homeless World Cup in Cardiff whilst he also received a UEFA Coaches Award at the 2006 and 2007 events.

His amazing personal and professional journey provides a truly inspiring story which has made George one of the most unique motivational and keynote speakers in Australia for the past decade. George's captivating presentations have an enduring impact on his audience making your next event truly memorable.