Justin McMinn, Street Soccer Coordinator, Jim Dennison Simon Community CEO, Gerry Armstrong, Aidan Byrne, Homelessness Manager at East Belfast Mission, Michael Boyd, Director of Football Development IFA. 

Former Northern Ireland International football legend Gerry Armstrong was announced as new ambassador for homeless charity Street Soccer NI. Gerry attended a Street Soccer event recently to hand out International Caps to previous Homeless World Cup players who represented their country in the last three Homeless World Cups. Street Soccer NI, in partnership with East Belfast Mission, the Housing Executive, Simon Community and IFA, run projects across NI using the power of football to transform the lives of people who are homeless and other disadvantaged groups. Alongside the football they offer support in housing, employability, and other issues that affect their players. Gerry Armstrong said; “I am so pleased to be announced as an ambassador for Street Soccer NI. What a great cause to be involved with and a wonderful opportunity to help people representing our country achieve their goals to compete in a World Cup competition, this can give them the confidence, belief and a chance to get jobs, and homes, and to improve their situation in life”.

Street Soccer is now in preparation for this year’s Homeless World Cup in Norway in August. They will be bringing a men and women’s team to the weeklong event in Oslo that has a major impact on the players’ lives. This will be Northern Ireland’s first women’s team to compete in the Homeless World Cup. Street Soccer is delighted to welcome on board Simon Community as a major sponsor for this year’s team. Simon Community work with hundreds of homeless people throughout the country and know how sport can have such a positive impact on their clients. Michael Boyd, Chairman of Street Soccer NI and IFA Director of Football Development commented; “It’s fantastic to have someone with Gerry’s experience shining the spotlight on a charity that does such good work with marginalised groups and we hope this will help raise the profile of our work in the community tackling homelessness through football"

Anne Sweeney, Assistant Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Housing Executive said; “Using football to reach out to those affected by homelessness is an innovative and modern way of tackling the issue. The Housing Executive commends Street Soccer NI on changing many local lives for the better and wish their new patron, Gerry Armstrong, the very best as he begins his journey working with the teams.”

Jim Dennison, CEO, Simon Community NI;

“It is fantastic to be once again working along with our friends at Street Soccer NI as they move forward in bringing together a squad to represent Northern Ireland at the Homeless World Cup 2017.  We are delighted to support the team’s involvement in this life-changing event. Involvement in Street Soccer NI provides a wonderful opportunity for people experiencing homelessness to come together in unison and ultimately presents a real and unique opportunity to represent their country at the forthcoming World Cup in August. We wish the team and all involved well”.

Player:  Emma Fisher said:

“I’m delighted to be involved in Street Soccer; it helps with my confidence and gives me something to look forward to every week.  I’ve made good friends since joining and I got to travel to Manchester for 5 daysfor a tournament where we finished third. It’s a great feeling representing my country”.

Player: Martin Methven shared his experience;  

“Being involved in Street Soccer had made a big difference in my life. It’s put me on the straight and narrow. I got into trouble when I first moved into hostels; I got into fights and was charged with two assaults. Then I joined the football and really enjoyed it, making some friends and it helped clear my head. I got to represent Northern Ireland in the Homeless World Cup in July and it was one of the best experiences in my life.  Since returning from the World Cup Street Soccer has helped me get a full time job in Tesco and get my own house”.

Further information: www.streetsoccerni.org