Using sport as a vehicle to empower people affected by homelessness
TO MARK the 20 year anniversary of the Irish Homeless Street Leagues, an international soccer tournament will be held in Tallaght in June.
Clondalkin resident Sean Kavanagh, editor of Ireland’s Big Issue magazine, is the founder of Irish Homeless Street Leagues.
Under his tutelage, hundreds, if not thousands, of men and women have flourished in street leagues established across the country, using it as a stepping stone to a better life, and many have represented their country at the Homeless World Cups.
The men’s team consistently punch above their weight at the annual tournament, have won trophies, and in recent years, a women’s team was formed.
Last year, the ladies team won eight of their 11 games at the tournament in Sacramento, USA.
“It is fitting that the tournament will be held in Tallaght, as Tallaght has been the venue for Irish Street League finals for the past 12 years,” said Kavanagh.
“Tallaght has a great football tradition think Robbie Keane, Katie McCabe, Shamrock Rovers, so it’s great to be able to bring such an unique international tournament here. It will be a great festival of football, a truly memorable occasion and sure to bring the Ole! back to football.”
In recent years, the Street Leagues have been helped by support from Amazon Web Services Ireland, who are again supporting the Irish teams in the June tournament.
Shauna Kavanagh, Jamie Finn and Kenzie Dickinson
Neil Morris, AWS Country Lead said: “At Amazon, we really believe in being good neighbours in the local communities in which we operate. On this 20th anniversary of the Irish Homeless Street Leagues, I believe that their incredible work of over the past two decades, using sport, as a vehicle to empower individuals affected by homelessness is worthy of recognition and the highest praise.
“Through the leagues, thousands have gained confidence, purpose and life skills that extend far beyond the playing field. We congratulate the Irish Homeless Street Leagues on this big birthday and are looking forward to seeing the international tournament in June in Tallaght!”
The international soccer tournament will be held over the weekend of June 7– 9 and takes place on a purpose built pitch adjacent to Tallaght Stadium.
Male and female teams have been invited, and countries taking part in the tournament include England, Italy, Finland, Lithuania, Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Spain, Romania, and Poland.
A launch for the tournament took place this week at the Maldron Hotel, Tallaght.
Among those in attendance were South Dublin County Mayor Alan Edge, Mark Ward TD, Cllrs Charlie O’Connor, Teresa Costello, Lilian Gueret, the FAI represented by Women’s Irish International footballer Jamie Finn, and representatives of AWS.
For 20 years the Irish Homeless Street Leagues has helped transform the lives of men and women nationwide who have found themselves affected by social exclusion.
Through the leagues, players are introduced to an environment that creates positive change by motivating, inspiring and developing people who have experienced homelessness, alcohol and substance abuse, or are ex offenders or refugees.
