| Former International Danish player Kasper Skovgård will referee at the Homeless World Cup in January. Photo: Maya Camilla Wilhardt Bluhme / Holbæk Kommune
[This article originally appeared on the Ombold website in Danish, Ombold have kindly let us share it with their permission]
A few years ago, Kasper Skovgård played street football at Ombold in Holbæk. Today, he is a volunteer referee, and in January he will travel to Mexico to referee at the Mexico City 2026 Homeless World Cup. His story shows how sport can open up new opportunities, and why Ombold works purposefully to educate and develop volunteer referees.
When the Danish homeless national team travels to Mexico in January to represent Denmark at the Homeless World Cup, there will be another Dane on the field. But this time with a whistle in hand.
Kasper Skovgård from Holbæk has been selected as a referee for the 21st edition of the Homeless World Cup, which will take place from January 17 to 23, 2027 in Mexico.
| Kasper (in yellow) with his team at the Sacramento 2023 Homeless World Cup. Photo: Dan Higginson
It is a big milestone for Kasper, who started as a player at Ombold in Holbæk in 2022. Since then, he has represented Denmark as a player at the Homeless World Cup in Sacramento in 2023, trained as a referee and refereed at Ombold's competitions and championships around the country.
Now his biggest task yet awaits.
From teammate to referee
| Kasper with his teammates at the Sacramento 2023 Homeless World Cup. Photo: Dan Higginson
When Kasper started playing street football at Ombold in Holbæk, it was primarily the community that made him stay.
“What really drew me in was the sense of community. You get to meet everyone, build friendships and become part of something bigger. It’s about so much more than football. There’s so much love and support, and before long the team felt like a family,” says Kasper.
However, after 12 knee surgeries, it started to become difficult to continue as a player. When he heard about the opportunity to take Ombold's refereeing course, he decided to try his hand at a new role.
“I thought, ‘Why not give it a go?’ and signed up. I became a referee, moving from playing to taking on more responsibility. It gave me a real confidence boost, and I felt respected, even when I got things wrong. I’ve learned so much through the feedback and support I’ve received, and that journey has played a huge part in getting me to where I am today,” says Kasper.
Since then, he has developed his skills in match management, communication and leadership on the pitch. He’s learned how to stay calm in high-pressure situations, make difficult decisions and take responsibility for ensuring every game is played with respect for both the rules and the players.
training creates new opportunities
At Ombold, volunteer referees play a crucial role. They help ensure that the organisation's competitions and championships can be held, and they contribute to creating a good framework for the game.
Many of the referees have a background as players at Ombold themselves. Through the organisation's basic and extended referee courses, they are given the opportunity to develop new skills and take on greater responsibility.
For Fie Biehl Rotheisen, who is the national coach and responsible for volunteers including referees in Ombold, Kasper's development is an example of what that work can lead to.
"We work to give our referees the best conditions to develop. It is of course about learning the rules and being able to control a match, but equally about communication, overview and daring to take responsibility. Kasper has put a lot of work into becoming a skilled referee, and it is fantastic that he now has the opportunity to use his skills on the international stage."
As part of the preparations, Kasper, along with two other experienced Ombold referees, René Raj Olsen and Carsten Frank Nielsen, participated in the Homeless World Cup international referee course in Grenoble, France. Here they received instruction from international referees and practical experience of refereeing at a tournament.
For Kasper, the next step now is Mexico.
| The Homeless World Cup will return to Mexico City for the third time in January, having previously taken place there in 2012 and 2018.
A dream that came true
The news of the selection came unexpectedly. Kasper was getting ready for work when he was contacted by Ombold and told that he had been selected to referee at the Homeless World Cup.
"Should I laugh or cry? I was completely taken aback, because what do you say to something like that? It was a dream come true, and it's a big pat on the back to represent Denmark at an international tournament," says Kasper.
He is aware that he has a big task ahead of him when he has to referee players from all over the world. But he also knows what he wants to take with him from his experiences at Ombold.
“I will definitely be nervous when I step on the field, but I will take it game by game. I just have to take what I have learned at home. All teams should be refereed equally. But I also hope that I can learn something from the other referees at the tournament, and then I am looking forward to meeting the international team,” he says.
| Kasper will join a special group of former players like Ed Kiwa, a former Canadian Homeless World Cup player, who also returned to the tournament as a referee. Photo: Anita Milas
More people should have the opportunity to take on new roles
At Ombold, the ambition is that more players will have the opportunity to engage in sports in new ways. This could be as referees, coaches or volunteers at local training sessions and nationwide competitions.
Kasper's selection for the Homeless World Cup is therefore not only a personal milestone. It also shows other players and volunteers that there are opportunities to develop and take on new tasks within the organisation.
“We want to create a sports community where you can not only participate, but also have the opportunity to develop and take responsibility. Many of our volunteers are or have been players themselves, and today they contribute something crucial to the community. The fact that Kasper will now referee at a world championship is a huge recognition of his efforts. And it gives other players, referees and volunteers something to strive for. It shows how far you can go when commitment and skills are given room to grow.” says Martin S. Pedersen, director of Ombold
For Kasper, the trip to Mexico is another chapter in a story that began on the football field in Holbæk. And even though he will now referee on the international stage, it is still the community around the sport that matters most.
“It would be boring without the sport. It's great to meet everyone else, and Ombold is unity, love and respect. Everyone is welcome and can be themselves,” says Kasper.
Denmark are represented by Ombold in the Homeless World Cup Foundation network, they run football programmes across Denmark supporting people facing addiction, social isolation and homelessness to reintegrate into society
and find purpose. Find out more about their work.