Australia
Sport
Updates from the Field - 100 women from 8 nations at the Homeless World Cup
Updates from the FieldUpdates from the Field (or Progress Reports) on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.com by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
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Recent Updates from the Field
Breaking Barriers
By Lynn Jarvis - Homeless World Cup , September 16, 2009 12:47 PM
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!!
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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Michelle da Silva is selected once again!
By Lynn Jarvis - Under 20s Women's Team, May 26, 2009 11:21 AM
Michelle da Silva is selected once again for Brazil’s Under 20s Women’s Team
Marcos Gaspar, the coach of Brazil’s women’s under 20’s national team, has his list of players carefully selected for the 2010 South America Cup. Michelle da Silva, the best women’s player at the Copenhagen 2007 Homeless World Cup, has made it onto the list for the second time running.
Michelle, born in 1990, is a speedy striker, with strong force and determination on and off the pitch. Living for football she has been on a journey out of poverty and exclusion through sport. Although young, she already has the following achievements under her belt, as the best Brasilian teams now follow her closely:
- Regional Champion and Vice World Champion, it Plays 3 Nike 2006
- Vice Champion, Onu cup 2006
- Champion Intercolegial 2007
- Vice Champion of Rio de Janeiro 2007
- Brasil Cup 2007
- Best female player, Copenhagen 2007 Homeless World Cup
Everyone at the Homeless World Cup is happy to see Michelle continue to stand proud and once again represent her country at a national level. She remains a true ambassador and inspiration for other women using football to change lives.
Marcos Gaspar, the coach of Brazil’s women’s under 20’s national team, has his list of players carefully selected for the 2010 South America Cup. Michelle da Silva, the best women’s player at the Copenhagen 2007 Homeless World Cup, has made it onto the list for the second time running.
Michelle, born in 1990, is a speedy striker, with strong force and determination on and off the pitch. Living for football she has been on a journey out of poverty and exclusion through sport. Although young, she already has the following achievements under her belt, as the best Brasilian teams now follow her closely:
- Regional Champion and Vice World Champion, it Plays 3 Nike 2006
- Vice Champion, Onu cup 2006
- Champion Intercolegial 2007
- Vice Champion of Rio de Janeiro 2007
- Brasil Cup 2007
- Best female player, Copenhagen 2007 Homeless World Cup
Everyone at the Homeless World Cup is happy to see Michelle continue to stand proud and once again represent her country at a national level. She remains a true ambassador and inspiration for other women using football to change lives.
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Breaking Down Prejudices
By Kat Byles - Communication and Media Director, January 12, 2009 02:06 PM
Research conducted during the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup has shown that two-thirds of event spectators surveyed have changed their perspective of homeless people.
Over 300 fast and furious street soccer matches were played at Federation Square and Birrarung Marr from 1st - 7th December, showcasing the skill and passion of over 500 homeless and marginalised players from around the world.
Melbourne has embraced the event, with packed grandstands cheering, chanting and stomping their appreciation of the players and their sportsmanship.
Spectators feedback proves that sport has the power to change the world,
*
82 per cent of spectators surveyed during the Melbourne event agreed that the Homeless World Cup contributes to a sense of community well-being.
*
82 per cent also agreed that the Homeless World Cup breaks down stereotypes about the homeless community.
*
85 per cent strongly agree that the Homeless World Cup is a fun and entertaining event.
*
Three-quarters of spectators agreed that the Homeless World Cup is an event that gives them an opportunity to show other people how special their community (Melbourne) is.
“It has put a face of humanity on the issue,” said one spectator. “Homeless people aren’t just people to be ignored. They have something to offer the community as much as anyone”.
Another spectator said: “This event has helped humanise the problem and reminded me it affects all ages and races.”
The Benefits of Community Street Soccer programs.
Researcher Dr Emma Sherry from Deakin University, Victoria, has also been conducting research with The Big Issue’s Street Soccer Program since 2006 and in 2008 she has interviewed over 90 participants from nine Street Soccer Program sites around Australia.
“The Big Issue Street Soccer Program assists many individuals, much more than just the eight players in the Homeless World Cup team,” Dr Sherry said.
“It provides them with connection back into the community, physical activity and links into support services.
“One out of five of the participants noted that their team members have become their family.
A legacy of the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup will be the continued roll-out of 30 Street Soccer Program across Australia by The Big Issue, providing weekly soccer training sessions and support for homeless and marginalized people.
The Homeless World Cup has triggered and supports grass-roots football programs in over 60 nations engaging 30,000 homeless players every year.
irish playerThe Impact of the Homeless World Cup.
“The Homeless World Cup as an event assists in giving participants a goal but more importantly, it raises awareness of the issue of homelessness.”
Player research conducted by the Homeless World Cup international body consistently demonstrates that over 70 per cent of players experience a significant life change. They come off drugs and alcohol, move into homes, jobs, education and training, repair relationships and even become coaches and players.
Over 300 fast and furious street soccer matches were played at Federation Square and Birrarung Marr from 1st - 7th December, showcasing the skill and passion of over 500 homeless and marginalised players from around the world.
Melbourne has embraced the event, with packed grandstands cheering, chanting and stomping their appreciation of the players and their sportsmanship.
Spectators feedback proves that sport has the power to change the world,
*
82 per cent of spectators surveyed during the Melbourne event agreed that the Homeless World Cup contributes to a sense of community well-being.
*
82 per cent also agreed that the Homeless World Cup breaks down stereotypes about the homeless community.
*
85 per cent strongly agree that the Homeless World Cup is a fun and entertaining event.
*
Three-quarters of spectators agreed that the Homeless World Cup is an event that gives them an opportunity to show other people how special their community (Melbourne) is.
“It has put a face of humanity on the issue,” said one spectator. “Homeless people aren’t just people to be ignored. They have something to offer the community as much as anyone”.
Another spectator said: “This event has helped humanise the problem and reminded me it affects all ages and races.”
The Benefits of Community Street Soccer programs.
Researcher Dr Emma Sherry from Deakin University, Victoria, has also been conducting research with The Big Issue’s Street Soccer Program since 2006 and in 2008 she has interviewed over 90 participants from nine Street Soccer Program sites around Australia.
“The Big Issue Street Soccer Program assists many individuals, much more than just the eight players in the Homeless World Cup team,” Dr Sherry said.
“It provides them with connection back into the community, physical activity and links into support services.
“One out of five of the participants noted that their team members have become their family.
A legacy of the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup will be the continued roll-out of 30 Street Soccer Program across Australia by The Big Issue, providing weekly soccer training sessions and support for homeless and marginalized people.
The Homeless World Cup has triggered and supports grass-roots football programs in over 60 nations engaging 30,000 homeless players every year.
irish playerThe Impact of the Homeless World Cup.
“The Homeless World Cup as an event assists in giving participants a goal but more importantly, it raises awareness of the issue of homelessness.”
Player research conducted by the Homeless World Cup international body consistently demonstrates that over 70 per cent of players experience a significant life change. They come off drugs and alcohol, move into homes, jobs, education and training, repair relationships and even become coaches and players.
Want to support this project's continued work?
Zambia Takes the Women's Crown
By Kat Byles - Communication and Media Director, January 12, 2009 02:06 PM
By Fiona Crawford
ZAMBIA is glad they won the inaugural Homeless World Cup tournament, for it believes that the women’s teams in future years will be even more talented, hungrier, and fiercer than this year.
Declaring the competition “tough but good”, Merinda Namafe joked that she’d be “frightened” to come back next year once the next group of women have more training and a better understanding of the competition.
In fact, she hopes that the team’s win will inspire more Zambian girls to take up football and perhaps defend the title at the 2009 Homeless World Cup in Milan.
“We are very, very happy to have won,” she said immediately after Zambia defeated an injury-ravaged Liberia 7-1 in the final.
But while the win was welcome, Namafe and her teammates agree that the best part of the tournament has been meeting people. It was clear during the week that this was important to them, as the Zambians proudly wore Socceroos jerseys and mixed with players from other countries during a women’s training clinic run by former Australian Youth International Bess Hepworth.
Hepworth was impressed both with the Zambian women’s level of skill and their willingness to participate, calling them out to demonstrate drills for the rest of the group. She drew chuckles from the participants and spectators as she explained that although she knew that the Zambian girls were skilful, for the sake of the exercise she needed them to “pretend” not to be and to “make her look good” by allowing her to beat them.
It’s quite possible that the Zambians will take back the game of paper, scissors, rock that Bess taught them back to their country.
ZAMBIA is glad they won the inaugural Homeless World Cup tournament, for it believes that the women’s teams in future years will be even more talented, hungrier, and fiercer than this year.
Declaring the competition “tough but good”, Merinda Namafe joked that she’d be “frightened” to come back next year once the next group of women have more training and a better understanding of the competition.
In fact, she hopes that the team’s win will inspire more Zambian girls to take up football and perhaps defend the title at the 2009 Homeless World Cup in Milan.
“We are very, very happy to have won,” she said immediately after Zambia defeated an injury-ravaged Liberia 7-1 in the final.
But while the win was welcome, Namafe and her teammates agree that the best part of the tournament has been meeting people. It was clear during the week that this was important to them, as the Zambians proudly wore Socceroos jerseys and mixed with players from other countries during a women’s training clinic run by former Australian Youth International Bess Hepworth.
Hepworth was impressed both with the Zambian women’s level of skill and their willingness to participate, calling them out to demonstrate drills for the rest of the group. She drew chuckles from the participants and spectators as she explained that although she knew that the Zambian girls were skilful, for the sake of the exercise she needed them to “pretend” not to be and to “make her look good” by allowing her to beat them.
It’s quite possible that the Zambians will take back the game of paper, scissors, rock that Bess taught them back to their country.
Want to support this project's continued work?
The Hope Cup: Reflections from Paraguay
By Kat Byles - Communication and Media Director, January 08, 2009 04:41 PM
The 2008 Homeless World Cup in Melbourne, Australia just ended. My mind is racing as I try to cling to the images, the sounds and the conversations that took place over the course of the past seven days. I am going to need days to fully absorb and process what I just experienced as assistant coach of the Paraguayan Women’s Soccer Team at the first Women’s Homeless World Cup.
My experiences playing professional soccer in Brazil and Sweden, and now working in the field of international development at the Nike Foundation have helped me recognize sport as one of the most powerful tools for positive social change and empowerment. I have witnessed the power of soccer to teach life skills, challenge gender norms, redefine machismo and create a shared sense of belonging. My understanding of the ability of the world’s most popular sport to turn around lives and bring the socially excluded out of isolation was brought to whole new level this week at the Homeless World Cup. This was one of the most uplifting and unifying events that I have ever experienced.
The coming together of nations, cultures, languages, and colors was only half of it. It was even more amazing to see people from every corner of the world step onto the field, representing their country after overcoming so many barriers. “Homelessness” meant much more than “houselessness.” Here, ‘homelessness’ extended to the broader notion of social isolation, of not feeling supported by society. Players came from developed and developing countries: some living in shelters and recovering from substance abuse, others orphaned by AIDS or living in refugee camps, others with families but with inadequate access to safe housing on an ongoing basis, others denied mobility through cultural pressures, and still others living in extreme poverty. But at the Cup, people’s backgrounds, histories, and socio-economic status became insignificant; our differences were dissolved by our love for soccer and willingness to share the moment. The uniforms played a large role in putting us all on equal footing; only the occasional tattoo or scar peeking out from behind the outfit reminded everyone of tougher times. Watching players embrace after games and communicate through body language and laughter reminded me of how much we all have in common and of our eagerness to relate to one another.
I coached the girls from one of our partners, Fundacion Paraguaya. I worked to lead the girls, serve as a role model, and help them improve their game and mindset towards the sport. We lost our first four matches in a row and while we all recognized the greater purpose of the Cup and the unimportance of the score, it was still extremely difficult to lose game after game—by significant margins. Losing continuously is never easy for anyone, and especially so for people who come from vulnerable backgrounds and who have often felt like failures. I attempted to boost the girls’ morale through pep talks, words of encouragement and reminders of the bigger experience, but their spirits were low. It was not until we notched our first victory against Australia that the girls snapped back to their joyous selves, the ones who had marched with pride in the opening-day parade. Noelia, our goalkeeper leapt into the air, threw off her gloves and tackled me with the biggest hug imaginable.
It was not the victory alone that rejuvenated my girls though; it was the win in combination with our opponents’ sportsmanship in the face of defeat that lifted our spirits. When the final whistle blew, the Australian girls ran over to our team, bombarded us with hugs, then grabbed our hands and we spun around in a circle, cheering, smiling, laughing and crying, all as one. Our team quickly realized that the win felt great but what felt even better was seeing our opponent show so much character in rejoicing with us. This one moment changed our attitude and outlook for the rest of the Cup—from then on, win or lose, we would join in a circle with the opposing team and celebrate the sport, the friendships, and the moment together.
I not only saw my girls’ perspectives change and grow over the course of the week, but also felt my own views change through a deeper understanding of sport’s ability to bring people together and to create hope. Together we created hope in individuals’ lives for happiness and brighter futures, hope for a sense of belonging, hope that people could care, hope that communities will be strengthened to support those in need and prevent others from falling, and hope that people will let go of their fears and open their minds and their hearts. This was not the Homeless World Cup, it was the Hope World Cup.
by Caitlin Fisher
My experiences playing professional soccer in Brazil and Sweden, and now working in the field of international development at the Nike Foundation have helped me recognize sport as one of the most powerful tools for positive social change and empowerment. I have witnessed the power of soccer to teach life skills, challenge gender norms, redefine machismo and create a shared sense of belonging. My understanding of the ability of the world’s most popular sport to turn around lives and bring the socially excluded out of isolation was brought to whole new level this week at the Homeless World Cup. This was one of the most uplifting and unifying events that I have ever experienced.
The coming together of nations, cultures, languages, and colors was only half of it. It was even more amazing to see people from every corner of the world step onto the field, representing their country after overcoming so many barriers. “Homelessness” meant much more than “houselessness.” Here, ‘homelessness’ extended to the broader notion of social isolation, of not feeling supported by society. Players came from developed and developing countries: some living in shelters and recovering from substance abuse, others orphaned by AIDS or living in refugee camps, others with families but with inadequate access to safe housing on an ongoing basis, others denied mobility through cultural pressures, and still others living in extreme poverty. But at the Cup, people’s backgrounds, histories, and socio-economic status became insignificant; our differences were dissolved by our love for soccer and willingness to share the moment. The uniforms played a large role in putting us all on equal footing; only the occasional tattoo or scar peeking out from behind the outfit reminded everyone of tougher times. Watching players embrace after games and communicate through body language and laughter reminded me of how much we all have in common and of our eagerness to relate to one another.
I coached the girls from one of our partners, Fundacion Paraguaya. I worked to lead the girls, serve as a role model, and help them improve their game and mindset towards the sport. We lost our first four matches in a row and while we all recognized the greater purpose of the Cup and the unimportance of the score, it was still extremely difficult to lose game after game—by significant margins. Losing continuously is never easy for anyone, and especially so for people who come from vulnerable backgrounds and who have often felt like failures. I attempted to boost the girls’ morale through pep talks, words of encouragement and reminders of the bigger experience, but their spirits were low. It was not until we notched our first victory against Australia that the girls snapped back to their joyous selves, the ones who had marched with pride in the opening-day parade. Noelia, our goalkeeper leapt into the air, threw off her gloves and tackled me with the biggest hug imaginable.
It was not the victory alone that rejuvenated my girls though; it was the win in combination with our opponents’ sportsmanship in the face of defeat that lifted our spirits. When the final whistle blew, the Australian girls ran over to our team, bombarded us with hugs, then grabbed our hands and we spun around in a circle, cheering, smiling, laughing and crying, all as one. Our team quickly realized that the win felt great but what felt even better was seeing our opponent show so much character in rejoicing with us. This one moment changed our attitude and outlook for the rest of the Cup—from then on, win or lose, we would join in a circle with the opposing team and celebrate the sport, the friendships, and the moment together.
I not only saw my girls’ perspectives change and grow over the course of the week, but also felt my own views change through a deeper understanding of sport’s ability to bring people together and to create hope. Together we created hope in individuals’ lives for happiness and brighter futures, hope for a sense of belonging, hope that people could care, hope that communities will be strengthened to support those in need and prevent others from falling, and hope that people will let go of their fears and open their minds and their hearts. This was not the Homeless World Cup, it was the Hope World Cup.
by Caitlin Fisher
Pictures:
