Support women at homeless world cup

They're tough. They're fiercely proud. They're few in number but making it known that they can play. Meet the 7 female players in the whole tournament.

Nicole Brennan, 21 from Australia, has been playing soccer since she was able to run. She loves sport whether it be netball, soccer, tennis or the gym. But it was only 5 months ago that she started playing street soccer after watching her friends play in Perth one afternoon. Finally the opportunity arose when she could also play and proved how good she was and consequently was chosen for the Australian team. Despite being the only female on the team, she is treated as an equal and her team mates look out for her. Her work friends didn't believe that she is representing Australia, so upon returning home she will walk proudly into work with her Ozzie jersey.

Similarly, Ebony Wright, 21 from USA has also grown up playing sports and quickly learnt to adapt from basketball to soccer one year ago when she was introduced to street soccer. Before street soccer, she didn't have a home, a job or friends, but that has reversed since playing. Ebony enjoys playing mixed soccer to show off her skills and the challenge to keep up with the guys. All going well, Ebony hopes to get noticed in the soccer world and continue playing professionally and go to college.

After winning the best and fairest trophy on the national female team of Malawi, it's no wonder Bridgete Chongo, 18, also prefers the challenge of playing with men! Bridgete has been playing soccer since she was 12 and listened to the words of advice from the coach to end up here. Her life is all soccer at the moment, and when she isn't playing, she is coaching soccer to boys and girls in the under 8 team. All her friends and family are excited and supportive of her playing soccer.

Chitra Khemraj Turkar and Disha Damodhar Zohabare, 19 and 17 respectively, were introduced to soccer 4 years ago through the slum soccer organisation in central India. They play in a mixed team back home, and have gone through a rigorous selection from the city to state to national team to get here. They report being treated equally and having full family support back home. They are both currently studying - Chitra is studying commerce, and Disha is in her last year of school, but when they return home, they will be positive role models for their communities.

Laura Munoz Vega,17, is also still in school in Argentina. She has been playing womens soccer for 6 years, but it was thanks to her trainer one year ago who suggested that she try out for the street soccer competition that she has ended up in Milan. Women's soccer in Argentina is only slowly building momentum, but she is happy to be playing with men and feels comfortable. After finishing high school, Laura wants to study to be a Physical Education teacher.

Nora Hegedus, 23 from Hungary finds equality in mixed soccer most of the time, but occasionally it is not always the case. Nonetheless she prefers playing with men because they are more skilled and pass more. Nora has been playing soccer for the past 8 years, both mixed and with women. She has been living with her mother in a women's shelter and is currently studying to be a social worker.

Watch this space!!

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