McCarthy back onside for Homeless competition
It sounds like the World Cup that should have been but it’s still all to play for at an alternative international soccer tournament taking place in Austria this summer.
The first ever Homeless Street Soccer World Championship will bring the universe’s favourite sport back to its birthplace on the streets and raise awareness of the universal problem of homelessness.
Taking place in the Austrian city of Graz, this year’s European City of Culture, the contest will run from July 5-14, featuring teams from 20 countries, including Brazil, Germany, Italy, Spain, Holland and England .
Matches will be played on rules familiar to every youngster who ever kicked a ball between two garbage cans - five-a-side on a hard surface - with the exception that all facilities will be world-class.
The truly original part of the tournament, however, is that the players won’t be pampered professionals. They will all be homeless people or street magazine vendors who usually have to apply their energies to getting by in a world that is increasingly harsh to those without a stable place of residence.
Issues Magazine are spearheading the search for the Irish team with the help of Focus Ireland and Fr Peter McVerry and anyone, male or female, who is over 16, homeless and handy with a football is invited to try out.
Trials will be run by Mick McCarthy, who will also manage the team in the competition, where one of his opposite numbers will be Alex Ferguson who is managing the English entry.
Schools competitions will be run to select a logo and mascot for the team and a series of fundraisers and publicity events will be held in the coming months to introduce the final squad of ten to the public.
The cost of sending the squad to Graz is estimated at €20,000 and the organisers are hoping to attract sponsorship and donations, with any extra funds raised going to Focus Ireland and Fr McVerry’s projects.
Anyone who can help get the squad kitted out and ready for action can contact Jon Glackin of Issues Magazine at 01-8730071 or 086-3140767.
