Street Soccer London are delighted to be formally announced as the Homeless World Cup’s official partner for Team England.
Players experiencing homelessness and social exclusion will now have the opportunity to represent England at future competitions under the Homeless World Cup banner.
The Homeless World Cup is a global annual event, with both men’s and women’s competitions taking place in an elected host nation. Previous tournaments have taken place in iconic locations such as Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, under the Eiffel Tower in Paris as well as other major cities like Melbourne, Amsterdam and Mexico City.
The format for the tournament is four-a-side games lasting 14 minutes each. There is a group stage and knockouts with massive crowds packed around small-sided artificial pitches. Over 50 nations are represented at each tournament, with over 500 players taking part. Of those participating:
94% Say the Homeless World Cup positively impacted their lives
83% Improved social relations with family and friends
77% Changed their lives significantly because of their involvement in football
71% Continue to play the sport
Through the introduction of this partnership, Street Soccer London will have 4 key goals:
- To create life changing experiences for players representing Team England
- To create more football activity & opportunities for people experiencing homelessness/social exclusion across England
- To raise our voice and challenge stigma by changing the perception of homelessness and people experiencing homelessness
- Create Positive Change Through Football
Craig McManus, manager for Street Soccer London, highlighted the impact that the Homeless World Cup has, having played in the tournament himself:
“Street Soccer London are honoured and privileged to be confirmed as Team England partner for the Homeless World Cup. We look forward to using this opportunity to create positive change for our players, whilst being part of the inspirational movement in changing the perception of homelessness around the world.”
Mel Young, President and Founder of the Homeless World Cup Foundation, said: “The Homeless World Cup Foundation is delighted to welcome Street Soccer London as our new partner to represent England in our Network of over 70 partners worldwide. Street Soccer London has a dedicated and professional team using football as a tool to engage with and support marginalised people to change their lives for the better.
“At the Foundation we have proved that using the power of football can change lives and though our partnerships across the world we want to include and support as many people as possible. Street Soccer London has exciting plans to expand across the whole of England and we are encouraged about the possibility of more lives being changed as a result of their work and their involvement with us. We wish them all the success for the future.”
The tournament is unique, empowering and has a direct impact on players making positive changes to their attitudes and perceptions. Supporters for the Homeless World Cup in the past have included Lewis Hamilton, Colin Farrell and Michael Sheen.
We will be announcing further details and updates very soon.
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