How the Homeless World Cup changed my life

AFTER A WEEK OF THRILLING MATCHES AND SOLIDARITY IN THE FACE OF INTERNATIONAL HORROR, RUSSELL LEADBETTER TALKS TO THE PLAYERS WHO REPRESENTED SCOTLAND AT A COMPETITION WITH A DIFFERENCE

AN INSPIRATIONAL life-changing experience - that’s how Scotland’s Homeless World Cup players describe playing before capacity crowds in Glasgow this week.

The international tournament, which was played in George Square, has big aims: to change the lives of homeless people from across the world through football; to give them the spur to get their lives back on track, beat addictions, get a job and find a home. .

Although the Scottish men’s and women’s teams didn’t make the finals - the tournament was won last night by both Mexico men and Mexico women against Brazil and Kyrgyzstan respectively - they see it as the experience of a lifetime and say it will be a springboard to greater things. Here, in their own words, are their stories. BEFORE Street Soccer Scotland [a charity which uses football to change the lives] I went through a really difficult time dealing with a family loss. I was working with a life coach at Quarriers, a service which provides support for young people facing difficult situations. They told me about the Football Works course that Street Soccer Scotland did, and through attending it I found out about the Homeless World Cup trials. Being here is unreal. I am gaining so much more confidence and football gives me something to look forward to.

Because it’s in Glasgow my family have come down to watch me and keep telling me how proud they are of me. When the World Cup is finished I would really like to volunteer as a coach with Street Soccer Scotland and seek employment. I have the skills and confidence I need to do that now. Who knows, maybe I’ll even have a go at being a professional football player. I’D BEEN in a really bad place and ended up homeless. The only thing keeping me going was football. I was playing with a guys’ team and when I heard about the Homeless World Cup trials I thought I would give it a go.

Now that I’m here, things have changed so much. You might hear it all the time but words can’t describe what it is like to be here and to play in front of all these people. I’m high on life. I love playing football and my dream is to make it professionally. If I can use what I learn here and continue working hard I can make it. I HAD a lot going on. I was battling drug addiction and mental health issues, and dealing with being homeless.

I found myself in Dunedin Canmore’s homeless hostel in Edinburgh and they encouraged me to attend football sessions with Street Soccer Scotland to help with my mental health. When I found out about the Homeless World Cup it gave me a focus. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and one I am grasping with both hands. I want to complete the Football Works course with Street Soccer Scotland next and become a coach.

I HIT physical and mental rock bottom in September last year and checked in to a treatment centre. It was the best thing I ever did. Anxiety was a big thing when I was a child and I never felt comfortable with life. I found everyday situations really difficult to handle so I sought an answer for my fears, first in alcohol when I was just 10, and then drugs when I was 15. My life started to unravel and addiction took hold. I now regularly take part in the Street Soccer Scotland programme and shortly after the trials for the Homeless World Cup team I was selected and named team captain.

I’ve been truly inspired by the Homeless World Cup experience. Every day is still a battle but I’m now more determined than ever to beat my demons. I am ready to start living now. I’VE had problems with alcohol and drugs in the past, but thanks to rehab, then mutual-aid groups and a day programme I’ve been clean since last year.

I started the whole recovery process with rehab and that included going to drop-in sessions with Street Soccer Scotland. That was a big part of building something bigger. Playing for Scotland at the Homeless World Cup with an amazing bunch of lassies has been one of the best experiences ever and, as a result, I know I can do something positive now. I WAS in Jericho House in Greenock, a rehabilitation centre for men with drug addictions, and I found out about Street Soccer Scotland’s football sessions.

I began to get more and more involved and when I left rehabilitation I kept going to the sessions and that’s when I heard about the Homeless World Cup trials. Being here is the most amazing experience of my life. It is like nothing else I can describe. I didn’t know it was humanly possible to feel the things I have felt this week. This will help me continue with my recovery. I want to let other people you know we do recover. I ENDED up in a homeless project due to a family breakdown and while there I was introduced to Street Soccer Scotland. I went through the trials and even just doing that helped me massively. My physical health improved because of the training and I am more focused. I’ve met lots of new people and I have more confidence and self-belief from being involved with the Homeless World Cup. I have experience in construction and I’d like to do more of that.

I DIDN’T have a great childhood. When I was young my mum left and I ended up going to live with my aunt when I was nine, but I ran away when I was 14 and then ended up in a children’s home. I’m living in a Salvation Army hostel just now and they’re all great people. They told me about Street Soccer Scotland’s drop-in sessions so, as I’ve always been a football fan, I went along and haven’t looked back since. The Homeless World Cup has been the best experience. I’m now looking forward to moving forward with my life with new positivity. WHEN I was growing up I got into the habit of doing nothing, every day. I tried to go to college but I got drawn back into doing nothing, which eventually lead to sofa-surfing and then homeless hostels. Looking back, I don’t have any regrets because if it wasn’t for doing nothing I might not have found Street Soccer Scotland and found my ambition again. I feel like I’m going somewhere now. The Homeless World Cup has been one of the best things I’ve ever done. I’D BEEN addicted to legal highs and was being supported by the Salvation Army. They told me about Street Soccer Scotland’s football drop-