Homeless World Cup a huge success The sixth Homeless World Cup took place in Melbourne in December, as thousands of spectators and players from around the world came together for a unique street football tournament to tackle the issue of homelessness. From 1 - 7 December, 56 teams from across the globe played out 300 fast and furious matches showcasing the skill and passion of over 500 homeless and marginalised players from around the world. The tournament uses football as a catalyst to encourage people who are homeless to change their lives; and to change the attitudes of governments, media, public and key influencers to create better solutions to homelessness around the world. The people of Melbourne embraced the event, with over 130,000 people turning out over the course of the week to pack grandstands, cheer, chant and stomp their appreciation of the players and their sportsmanship.

Homeless World Cup founder and president Mel Young said: "The Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup has demonstrated yet again that sport has tremendous power to change lives. It has shown that working together we can create real, lasting change. Together we can end homelessness. It is everyone's game."

Since it's inception in 2003, the Homeless World Cup has triggered and supports grassroots football programs in over 60 nations engaging 30,000 homeless players all year round. The legacy of the Melbourne event will be the roll out of 30 street soccer programs across Australia.

Player research conducted by the Homeless World Cup international body consistently demonstrates that over 70 per cent of players involved in the tournament 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 with semi-pro teams. 94% claim to have a renewed motivation for life.

Not only does the tournament assist in giving participants a goal but, more importantly, it raises awareness of the issue of homelessness. 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, while 82 per cent also agreed that the Homeless World Cup breaks down stereotypes about the homeless community.

On the pitch, Afghanistan took the men's trophy having remained undefeated all week, beating Russia in the final. The central Asians took the tournament by storm both with their inspired play and their devoted legion of fans, which turned every match into a party. Afghani captain Sayed Reza (above) thanked Melbourne for putting on the event. “Thank you to the organisers, thank you to Australia,” Reza said. “To me as a homeless person with little opportunities in life, this is a very valuable experience and I’ll cherish it forever.” Team manager, Raz Mohamed Dalili, predicted a heroes welcome for his team. “They will be the champions of Afghanistan,” Dalili said “They will be respected.” Zambia took the inaugural Women's World Cup (left), beating a depleted Liberia side in the final. After dominating their competition all week, the Zambians have set the benchmark for other female teams to aim at next year.

After watching a week of enthalling football, organiser Mel Young said of the sides: "This is the way that sport and football can be played. This is the spirit of fair play. Congratulations Afghanistan. Congratulations Zambia for being the first Womens Homeless World Cup Champions. Congratulations to all the players. You are the true ambassadors for your country. You can stand proud. You are amazing. Vive el football!”

England and reigning Homeless World Cup Champions Scotland both did themselves proud at the tournament, both reaching the knockout stages of the main World Cup event.  The two sides clashed in a 'Battle of Britain' quarter final where they fought out a thrilling 7-7 draw, with Scotland eventually triumphing on penalties.

The 2007 winners, supported by The Big Issue in Scotland, then lost to Russia in the semi-final before going down Club Website's adopted side, Ghana, in the 3rd place play-off. The West African side had themselves lost to Afghanistan in the semi-final.

Sporting their Umbro kit donated by Club Website, the west African side gave the eventual winners their toughest game of the tournament, battling out a 5-5 draw before losing on penalties. See the section below for more details on Team Ghana's Homeless World Cup and how Club Website came to be supporting them.

England eventually finished sixth at the tournament after a fantastic effort all week long. Supported by the FA and The Big Issue in the North, England's finish was a huge improvement on their 29th place at the 2007 event.

As with all of the teams at the tournament, however, the greatest success for those involved has come off the pitch. The tournament has given all the players involved the chance and the motivation to change their lives for the better, and the England side are no different.

Team manager Richard Brown told TheFA.com: “Australia was a great experience for everyone and the majority of our squad are now in hostels and making a better life for themselves which is great news.”

Images courtesy of the Homeless World Cup’s Flickr group - click here to view more photos.

"They are all great individuals and were a pleasure to work with. Their tenacity and pure skill on the pitch was just amazing to watch but, while determined and eager to win, they never let this get in the way of sportsmanship and the spirit of the Homeless World Cup.

Whilst impressing on the pitch, it sounds like Team Ghana made quite an impression of it as well, making friends and gathering supporters wherever they went. "Off the field they were the life of the party - drumming, dancing and singing, and speaking to anyone and everyone" said Nowicki. "The spirit of this group of blokes is just so amazing considering what life has thrown at them!" Reflecting on the tournament as a whole, Sam was very positive about the effect it had on all concerned. "I am so proud and honoured to have been involved in such a fantastic life changing event. What the Homeless World Cup brought to Melbourne and brings to the world is awe inspiring.

"The sporting ability, sportsmanship, courage, fun and cultural display made it such a unique and wonderful event. Plus, we are giving people the chance to change their lives and raise awareness in the general population and change stereotypes. By using sport, which is universally loved, we can show that homeless people have so much to offer our communities both of and on the sporting field."

After a series of fantastic displays throughout the tournament, Ghana progressed through to the semi-finals where they contested the game of the tournament with Afghanistan. After a thrilling 5-5 draw, Ghana lost on penalties to the side who went on to take the crown.  Afghanistan remained undefeated all week but this was certainly the closest they came to defeat.

"It was the match of the tournament and could have gone either way" Sam told Club Website. "While hard to take at first it was then put into context that just by being at the Homeless World Cup. Everyone is a winner." The team looked great sporting their red Club Website kit but, more than just helping them to feel the part at the tournament, the new kits will continue to make a difference now the team are home. "Thank you very much Club Website for your support of the team" said Sam. "The uniforms look great and he team were so excited and greatful to receive a new kit.

"For you it may be hard to believe what a rare and valuable commodity kits are because of financial constraints. Not only were they great here but the use they will get back at home will be massive."

The overall experience of the tournament will help the Ghanaian team greatly. "Confidence has grown a lot" said Sam. "They are all extremely talented kids both off and on the pitch, but certain issues have lead them to be in the situation they are in now. Hopefully with the new found confidence, both in themselves and life, they will start kicking some major goals."

And so will Team Ghana be back to take part in the 2009 tournament in Milan?  Sam was optimistic:

"God willing with hopefully someone financially backing them, by all means they will be there. The tournament is absolutely fantastic. Homelessness is such a massive problem all over the world so everything must be done to reduce and stop it."

"What better way to get people to stop and listen than with sport. Sport speaks all languages and breaks down barriers. The Australian Prime Minister [Kevin Rudd] recently announced a package to help out the homeless problem in Australia. I'd like to believe the work we put in at the Homeless World Cup had a little something to do with that."