Advertisement
Housing

As the Lionesses played in the World Cup Final, this tournament showed how women’s football tackles homelessness

The all-female Street Soccer Nations Cup brought together women experiencing homelessness from across eight nations as the spotlight turned t women’s football across the globe.

Although the Lionesses narrowly missed out in the Women’s World Cup Final last weekend, one thing is for sure: it’s been a great summer for football gender parity.

While events in Australia captivated football fans across England, the Street Soccer Nations Cup tournament in Largs, North Ayrshire, brought together women’s teams from across Europe to create a strong community of female football players experiencing homelessness.

Your support changes lives. Find out how you can help us help more people by signing up for a subscription

Held at Largs Thistle FC, Street Soccer Scotland’s regional tournament hosted over 70 female players experiencing homelessness who competed on the pitch over three days.

The Street Soccer Nations Cup tournament in Largs, North Ayrshire, brought together players from across Europe. Credit: Edinburgh Photographic.

Just like Down Under, Team England didn’t come out on top. Instead it was Romania and Scotland that got their hands on the silverware ahead of teams from Sweden, Northern Ireland and England.

Scotland and Romania came out on top at The Street Soccer Nations Cup tournament. Credit: Edinburgh Photographic.

“Players, staff and volunteers spoke of the powerful community that backed one another at every opportunity this past weekend,” said a Street Soccer Scotland spokesperson. “All eight teams played with immense spirit and portrayed the beautiful game in its purest form – no judgement, no fear and unconditional support.”

Advertisement
Advertisement

The tournament comes a month after the Homeless World Cup returned street soccer to the global stage following a four-year break due to Covid-19.

The cup has fostered a “powerful community”. Credit: Edinburgh Photographic

Both tournaments use football as a means of empowering those facing social exclusion. The Homeless World Cup has a rich 20-year history, as well as fervent celebrity endorsements from voices like Michael Sheen, and has proved to be an enduring force of good for homeless populations across 72 countries.

Speaking to the Big Issue ahead of the Homeless World Cup, Street Soccer Scotland founder David Duke said tournaments like the Homeless World Cup and Street Soccer Nations Cup show how football can be used as a vehicle for change.

Get the latest news and insight into how the Big Issue magazine is made by signing up for the Inside Big Issue newsletter

Duke said: “All the projects going there, whether they be in Brazil, Mexico or Scotland, we’re all using football as a way to reconnect people to services and support and be part of the community.”

Advertisement

Change a vendor's life this Christmas

This Christmas, 3.8 million people across the UK will be facing extreme poverty. Thousands of those struggling will turn to selling the Big Issue as a vital source of income - they need your support to earn and lift themselves out of poverty.

Recommended for you

Read All
Rents in UK are rising at highest rate in decades. Will they keep going up?
rents uk
Renting

Rents in UK are rising at highest rate in decades. Will they keep going up?

Mum-of-three hit with 'revenge eviction' after asking for repairs: 'It felt like the end of the world'
Hazell and her three kids faced homelessness until Shelter stepped in
Renting

Mum-of-three hit with 'revenge eviction' after asking for repairs: 'It felt like the end of the world'

Housing minister admits Labour's 1.5 million homes promise will be 'more difficult than expected'
Labour housing minister Matthew Pennycook
Housebuilding

Housing minister admits Labour's 1.5 million homes promise will be 'more difficult than expected'

Surging rental prices are dwarfing inflation – and not enough people are talking about it
To Let signs to attract renters
RENTING

Surging rental prices are dwarfing inflation – and not enough people are talking about it

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue