NORTHERN Ireland’s first female homeless football team have laced up their boots to compete in the inaugural Homeless 5 Nations Cup in Belfast.
The 4-a-side tournament which kicked off yesterday seeks to use football as a means of changing the lives of those who are homeless or have been in the recent past.
Following the success of the Northern Ireland men’s team at the Homeless World Cup in Glasgow in July, this event will see both male and female teams from the Republic, England, Wales, Scotland and the north compete on the road to a better future.
The two day tournament is the brainchild of the charity Street Soccer NI and the creation of the women’s team is the first step in developing more programs for female players across the country, with the aim being to send a female team to the next Homeless World Cup in Oslo in 2017.
Tracey Patterson is one of the players taking part and says the sport has given her purpose and direction in her life.
“Being involved in the women’s team is helping me with my addiction and keeping me out of trouble,” she said.
“Knowing I’m going to represent my country is brilliant feeling. My goal is to keep playing football and get into work and get my own house.”
Chairman of Street Soccer NI Michael Boyd has welcomed the addition of a female team to the national stage.
“We are really excited about our first women’s team and our first Homeless 5 Nations Cup and the impact it is having on our player lives.”
