Homeless World Cup

The Homeless World Cup is an annual, international football tournament, uniting teams of people who are homeless and excluded from around the world. In 2007 the event included over 500 players from 48 nations. It is sponsored by UEFA, Nike, the United Nations and several leading football clubs (including Manchester United, Real Madrid & SL Benfica).

Our regional trials are being held at Carrow Park, home to Norwich City Football Club on the 14^th January, 1pm-4pm.

Each session will last a minimum of three hours and clients should be prepared for the rigorous selection process. Trials are not played on grass so football boots are not necessary. All are welcome regardless of ability.

Travel costs and welfare costs during selection must be paid by the agency supporting the player. Travel to the World Cup (if selected), kit and expenses will be paid for by Big Issue in the North.

Stiff competition:  The national squad includes a total of eight selected players and so competition is high. Clients will have to go through a number of different selection exercises with the Manchester United Foundation if selected.

Top class coaching: Coaching as part of the trials is provided in association with the host football club; many of whom operate their own social inclusion programmes your players may want to make use of throughout the rest of the year.

If you are interested in participating you should: Complete the online application form. One form per client. Forms are available at www.homeless.org.uk/inyourarea/east/hwcapp

Send the completed form to Richard Brown, England Team Manager (0151 702 6931 07971 161 645 [email protected]) no more than two days before the date of trial.

Many of the players who are going to attend the Norwich trial, will come from the successful Street Life Soccer program, which has been running at Carrow Park for the last 20 months.

The Street Life Soccer Project works with many different challenges and rewards for all types of people regardless of their social status such as vulnerable housed, ethnic minorities, unemployed. With 15 Hostels already involved with the project, there is still opportunity for more Hostels to get involved especially as the project is run in Kings Lynn as well as Norwich.

Last year 7 players from the Street Life Soccer program where able to get through to the last 60. Which then 1 player got into the last 12. For these players the experience was life changing and a real positive. Lee Thompson explained " The trials where a fantastic opportunity through Street Life Soccer which saw me get my life back on track and something to aim for. I would recommend this to anyone with the love for football."

For further details on the Street Life Soccer Programme run by Norwich City Football Club please contact FITC on 01603 761122 or email [email protected]