The Big Issue: Matildas midfielder Alex Chidiac golden spirit extends off the field

Alex Chidiac not only dons the golden spirit on the football field, but also in her own life. The Matildas midfielder shares how her grandmother inspired her work in the community.

The Matildas have built a reputation as one of Australia’s toughest sporting teams.

But midfielder Alex Chidiac has shown that beneath the gold shirt beats a softer heart of gold - not willing to leave a woman she met through volunteering in a street soccer program to face the prospect of a Christmas alone.

“It’s a really tough time for a lot of people out there … heading into Christmas,” Chidiac said.

“I was speaking to one of the participants and she doesn’t have anywhere to go for Christmas, which is heartbreaking so I think I’ll pick her up and take her out to do something on Christmas.”

That’s the mark of the incredible and giving nature Chidiac possesses with achievements on the football field just a small part of her focus.

Matildas’ Alex Chidiac enjoys giving back to the community. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

The Melbourne Victory ace spends hours every week volunteering for The Big Issues’ Community Street Soccer Program and simply wants to give someone a reason to smile.

“It’s a hard time at the moment and if anything, even a couple of hours a week, can bring a smile to people’s faces or give them something to look forward to then that’s my goal,” Chidiac said.

Chidiac is also part of A Common Goal – where professional footballers donate 1 per cent of their salary to the charity which works in more than 200 communities to help improve the lives of young people through football.

It was her grandmother that first taught Chidiac the power of community.

“My background is Polish, Egyptian. My grandma came over to Australia and was a little bit of an outcast, she didn’t speak the language and had to find her Polish community in Adelaide,” Chidiac said.

“I always saw her giving so much back to everybody and making sure that they felt like they were at home and they felt comfortable and could express themselves.

“I played for a Polish club growing up and I could feel that sense of community, I’ve always carried that with me.”

Chidiac volunteers with the North Melbourne Street Soccer program each week. Picture: Final Third Studios/The Big Issue

Chidiac has volunteered with The Big Issues’ program for four years . She sets aside two hours every Thursday.

“If I wasn’t a professional footballer, I’d still be playing football,” she said.

“I love the game and I love what it brings out in people and I love the connection it brings, so if me being out there helps get a few other people involved in some really amazing programs that are going on then that’s a win for me.”

Chidiac said while playing a fun game of football was at the core of the session it was more about building connections.

“We have a range of ages, there is an 81-year-old who comes out and a lot of them have been coming for 20 years to that program,” Chidiac said.

“It’s one big family now. My main thing with volunteering is just about inclusion and about community, because that’s really what football is to me.

“At the end of the day my family is not in Melbourne either and I’ve had to create my own community here in Melbourne and those women are definitely part of it.”

Chidiac says The Big Issue community is like a family. Picture: Final Third Studios/The Big Issue

Chidiac hopes to bring some cheer especially over the holiday season. Picture: Final Third Studios/The Big Issue

ALL FOR THE FANS

Chidiac’s generosity extends to her professional career as well.

The 25-year-old is a fan favourite at Victory and the Matildas.

She has struggled to find a permanent place within the national team since making her debut in 2015.

The midfielder was called in for the last camp and played against Chinese Taipei. Following the game at AAMI Park Chidiac had no problem taking the time to interact with fans.

It took a bizarre turn when she started signing biscuits and throwing them into the crowd.

“One of the fans gave me a box (of Pizza Shapes) in return for something that I had, I was handing out some of my gear after the game,” Chidiac said.

Alex Chidiac is in and out of the Matildas team. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

“I got a little bit hungry so I opened them up, which was a mistake around hundreds of people.

“Everyone wanted a Shape so I started handing them out and then the kids decided that they wanted them signed – I felt sorry for the parents having to take those home.

“It was definitely a first, you get a lot of foreheads, a lot of shoes, I’ve had some socks before but never a Pizza Shape.”

Chidiac said she loved playing in front of the huge Melbourne crowd but questioned why the support didn’t flow down to the A-League’s Women’s.

“Everyone sees the Matildas games and how much of a great environment it is when there’s lots of people around,” she said.

“It would be amazing to see that throughout the A-League, not just for Victory but for all the teams.

“We have to continue to push the crowd to come out. If that means players staying later to sign things, I’m down – I’ll stay for five hours, if I have to, just bring the Pizza Shapes.”

Originally published as The Big Issue: Matildas midfielder Alex Chidiac golden spirit extends off the field