cohealth hosts Homeless Cup in Homelessness Week

Not-for-profit community health organisation cohealth will honour Homelessness Week with a celebration of Aussie Rules and community connection when it hosts the fourth annual Homeless Cup at JJ Holland Park in Melbourne’s inner-north-west this Wednesday 5 August 2026. 

Led by the cohealth Kangas — and featuring footy players who have experienced, or are experiencing, homelessness — the Homeless Cup will include two exciting games of Aussie Rules, free BBQ and coffee, and tunes from DJ Dion Celine. cohealth staff will also be on hand to chat about available support services. 

The Kangas will take on the Gippsland Wellways Panthers, while the Wynbay Tigers will square off against the Melton Lions. All four teams are from the social league of Reclink Australia. 

Many players from these teams face barriers to health and social support, including homelessness, disability, alcohol and drug dependence, and mental illness. Footy has become their gateway to building trusting relationships with support services. 

The Kangas are coached by cohealth Homeless and Community Support Worker Andy Bottriell.  

“This is always a great day for everyone to come together and have a good time,” Andy says, “but it’s also a great opportunity for those who are doing it tough and may be struggling to navigate the system to come and chat with cohealth staff about what supports are available to them.” 

The Homeless Cup is open to the public and is a free event. 

Homeless Cup details 

When: Wednesday 5 August 2026 

Where: JJ Holland Park, corner of Kensington Road and Childers Street, Kensington 

Time:  

• 11:30am: gates open   

• 12 noon: Games start  

• 1.45pm: Games finish 

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More information: Adam Bennett adam.bennett@cohealth.org.au or 0424 147 230 

 About cohealth: cohealth is a not-for-profit community health organisation that provides low-cost and free local health and support services including medical, dental, allied health, mental health, aged care and counselling, and many specialist health services in Melbourne’s CBD, inner-north and inner-west, and on the east coast of Tasmania.