SHEEN SPEAKS OF HOMELESS WORLD CUP DELIGHT
MICHAEL Sheen has spoken of his delight after seeing the Homeless World Cup in Cardiff this week.
The Bafta-nominated actor believes the tournament has shown the wider public the potential homeless people can achieve.
The 17th Homeless World Cup took place in the capital’s Bute Park, with around 500 players from almost 50 nations taking part.
The Hollywood star has been an enthusiastic backer of the tournament throughout and revealed earlier this week he gave “everything I have” to fund the competition.
The 50-year-old said he has been blown away by the performance levels in the competition.
He told our sister paper the Western Mail yesterday: “I wasn’t sure what to expect, to be honest – I’ve never done anything like this before. The focus was on getting it on, that when it started it was a bit overwhelming because I haven’t been thinking about that really.
“When we had the parade with all the teams congregating, the drummers were there and everyone was singing and dancing.
“It was just incredible because there are people coming from all around the world to celebrate this.
“It was quite emotional and overwhelming as the week has gone on; the weather has blessed us and from the commentary position I’ve been able to look across the whole site.
“Seeing all three pitches with the amazing football going on, the stands full, all the family activities, people debating, this is what it’s all about.”
There have been many inspirational stories throughout the World
Cup.
But Port Talbotraised Sheen, says he is “blown away” by that of Welsh coach Wayne Ellaway.
From the age of 16 to 26, Mr Ellaway, pictured below, was in and out of prison, mainly for theft, stealing money to fund his drug habit. And after a destructive cycle of prison sentences, sofa-surfing and substance abuse, he felt there was no way out and “was prepared to die” if he carried on.
Now he is coaching the men’s Welsh team and can inspire others with his story.
Mr Sheen said: “The story of the Welsh head coach, Wayne, has blown me away.
“He said to me, ‘When things were at their worst for me, homeless, mental health issues, I spent my time in the park because I had nowhere else to go and now that park is this park.’
“He told me he was going to come in and coach the Welsh team; he’s got a full-time job, a partner that he met at last year’s world cup and his life is completely different.
“As I walk around the park it sticks with me and I see Wayne, but then I realise there are 500 potential Waynes here.
“Who knows what it can lead to – some of these people are the most resilient people you’ll meet.
“Every society should be judged by how it treats people when they are at their most vulnerable. Whatever the issue is, we as a community should look after each other. I want to do my bit and use what I have because that could be my loved ones, it doesn’t matter who it is. We’ve seen council budgets decrease, services being cut – it’s just harder and harder for people on the front line.
“People here are from many different countries, cultures and more, but there are lots of shared experiences.
“I watched a match between Zimbabwe and USA and the winner was scored by a man with one foot! Being homeless and everything else isn’t enough, he’s only got one foot and he scored the winning goal, it’s mind-blowing.”
Mr Sheen gave an inspired speech on the first day which was met with huge applause. He says it was for the 500 people taking part and to embrace their resilience.
The company set up for the tournament was originally going to be disbanded once it ended, but Mr Sheen revealed he will now be continuing the work.
He added: “Originally the company I set up for the tournament, I was going to disband it because there was no point, but I’m going to keep it going in order to work on what we can do afterwards.
“It’s been a real inspiration to see all the organisations come together and it shows what we can do. The speech was from the heart – the people coming to play, it’s all for them.
“Everyone who is standing out there and has taken part this week, has gone on a long hard journey just to be here, that’s the achievement. It’s about surviving, the resilience of these people is amazing. It’s about connecting with them so we could take this week and fly.
“The engagement has been amazing, online people are talking about it.
“All I wanted was for the 500 people coming from all over the world [to have] an amazing experience because I know that can be a catalyst for change in people’s lives and it’s gone beyond that.
“The message we want to send is a positive one – when people are given opportunities, look what they can do. I see a lot of positivity hope and joy, and out of that is a possibility of change.”
■ What the Homeless World Cup has meant to the players: Pages
22&23