Downtown Community Ministry
2nd April 2008
Get training for the Homeless World Cup
Recruiting has begun to train and select players for the Street Football Aotearoa team to compete at the Homeless World
Cup in Melbourne in December.
Local practices kick off weekly from the 16th of April at Waitangi Park.
All players need to have had experience of homelessness or currently be homeless to qualify.
Last year at the 5th Homeless World Cup in Copenhagen 48 nations competed for the title of world champion.
All around the world players from previous tournaments are turning their lives around through the meaning and value they
get from taking part.
Organisers say feelings of belonging, challenge, of working in a team, regaining a health oriented attitude towards
life, self esteem and a fun experience is a powerful combination to change a person's life.
Following the 2005 tournament in Edinburgh 77% of players significantly improved their lives through employment,
housing, education and/or drug/alcohol treatment programmes.
The international website for the Homeless World Cup is www.homelessworldcup.com
ENDS