Homeless World Cup: The Story
It was in Camps Bay, Cape Town in 2001, at the end of an International Network of Street Papers conference, that Harald Schmied, editor of the Austrian street paper, Megaphon, and Mel Young, co-founder of The Big Issue Scotland came up with the idea for the Homeless World Cup. They were looking for an international language to unite homeless people around the world. Football was it.
8 months later they held the first Graz 2003 Homeless World Cup involving 18 nations. Won by the host nation, Austria, it was such a success that they decided to do more. Gothenburg 2004 was next before Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, stepped in at the last minute for the 2005 tournament when New York pulled out due to visa issues. Over 50,000 spectators cheered 27 nations to glory during a sunshine filled week that saw the reigning champions, Italy, victorious.
In 2006 Cape Town played host to the tournament - watched by over 100,000 fans. 48 nations and nearly 500 homeless players were united to change their lives forever. The run-up to the tournament, involved over 17,000 homeless players in pre-tournament national trials and grass roots street soccer leagues. In 2007 the Homeless World Cup was held in Copenhagen from 29 July - 4 August 2007. Then to Melbourne in December 2008.
The research conducted one year after the tournaments consistently reveals that 94% of the players went away with a new motivation for life and no less than 77% reported that the event significantly changed their lives forever. This is down to the feeling of belonging, the challenge of working in a team, the process of regaining a health- oriented attitude towards life, self esteem and last but not least the experience of fun.
Supported by Nike and UEFA since it’s inception several world-class football teams support Homeless World Cup teams. Manchester United coaches England and Spain has links with Real Madrid, Portugal with SL Benfica. Worldwide recognition for sport making a major positive impact on social exclusion has come from UEFA with the 2005 Monaco Cheque - previous winners include the Special Olympics and Football against Racism.
So what is next ? The Homeless World Cup takes to the streets of Melbourne, Australia in 2008. Plus investment from the Homeless World Cup in national grassroots street soccer programmes will ensure many more individuals benefit throughout the year such as the Russian National Championships this year. More lives changed.
Vive el Football!
