Ireland’s Issues Street League
Background

Life can be unkind, often unfair and sometimes your prospects and future depends on the start you get in life. Just think for a moment how your life would have been if you were born into unfavourable circumstances. Without the benefit of the support mechanisms that we all take for granted or a reasonable education, where job opportunities were few and your sense of self worth very low. It is not hard to imagine how difficult your life may have been.
This is something I have pondered over for many years and wondered what could I do to help. As a child growing up in Crumlin the one thing all lads had in common was the love of football whether you came from a rich or a poor background when you played football in the street you were all equal and for a moment you could forget about whatever troubled you. I knew from my work with Ireland’s Issues Magazine that there were many young people out there who felt detached from mainstream society and for whom the Celtic Tiger didn’t exist. They were living lives in quiet desperation. I wanted to find a way to use the positive force of sport to raise self-esteem, build confidence and add discipline to lives that had known only set backs and criticism. The benefits of participating in sporting activity was further enhanced when with the help of Ireland’s Issues Magazine I brought a team of Homeless lads to participate in the inaugural Homeless World Cup in Austria in 2003. I could see at first hand the changes that occurred in the lads, their sense of pride when putting on the Green Jersey of Ireland and how for probably the first time they had a sense of self worth and optimism for the future. Unfortunately after the tournament was over and they returned home from representing their country to the reality of life on the streets, that optimism was diminished. I decided then that I would have to develop a proper structured program. With the gem of an idea and with the help of my colleague Michael Harmon and Mick Pender our coach and no money we went knocking on doors for support. It was tough, -there are many worthy causes looking for support- eventually I met Aaron O Callaghan of Dublin City council sports development dept and he was very encouraging and helped us set up a pilot project in Sheriff Street. The success of that project encouraged us and we have moved forward each year since. We now have 6 Leagues running in the greater Dublin area with leagues running in both Limerick and Cork and Leagues being set up in Galway, Athlone, Waterford and Longford.
A Street League is also up and running in Wheatfield prison it is hoped that this will compliment the rehabilitation process and enable people on release to join up with one or our other leagues.
We also bring a team selected from the Street Leagues to participate in the Homeless World Cup, which this year will be held in Australia.

Our primary target groups are:
The Homeless, Drug and alcohol dependant individuals in rehabilitation, Ex-offenders, Long-termed unemployed with identified learning disabilities, Refugee and asylum seekers, Hostels, Age range 16 – 40

While the leagues are male dominated the possibility of females taking part is being investigated

Goals
To build self-esteem, self-confidence and self-discipline. To develop communication skills and to provide access to lifestyle opportunities, in sport, education, skills training and employment.
To provide people with the basic tools necessary to enable them to move on in life.The Leagues run throughout the year usually 4 terms of 10 weeks with short breaks in between.

Sean Kavanagh (Founder Ireland’s Issues Magazine’s Street leagues)
01 8735137 / 087 2238108

Recent Impact study report;
• 92% players have a new motivation for life
• 73% have changed their lives for the better
• 93 players successfully addressed a drug or alcohol dependency
• 35% have secured regular employment
• 44% have improved their housing situation
• 39% chose to pursue education

72% continue to play footballWhile these statistics are just numbers just think of the impact on a personal level and on society if someone addresses a drug problem, gets a job, goes back to education. The ripple effect can be substantial as the supporting quotes indicate.

Supporting Quotes
“Crosscare is committed to the ideal of providing social education through sport and views the Street Soccer League as a pivotal facet in our ongoing work of redressing the inequalities and social exclusion that young people in homeless situations find themselves in”.
Paul Flynn, Crosscare Aftercare Support Unit

“The future plans for Homeless Street Leagues and World Cups have the full backing of An Garda Siochana and we hope to continue our involvement in helping to develop this initiative”.
Kevin O Hagan, Sergeant, Community Policing Office, Store Street

“Already we have noticed a change in the people who are participating. They are very enthusiastic about the project and are always on time for the games. It has also boosted morale for the individuals and provides a focus to their week. The project has had other benefits also. It creates a talking point in the service and participants are more motivated to take care of themselves and try to become fitter”.
Sean Fagan, Homeless and Drug Service

“Coolmine Therapeutic Community would like to thank you for the opportunity of allowing the clients on our programme to take part in the recent football tournament. We have found that the clients thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The tournament helped to generate a new found enthusiasm that encourages residents to look at alternative activities to drug taking. It is hoped that this is the beginning of fruitful and a lasting relationship that will benefit all parties involved”.
Paul Hatton, Coolmine Therapeutic Community

“It gives our clients a chance to interact with people from all walks of life which we find has given them great encouragement. They are enjoying going out and meeting new people. They are very motivated when it comes to training and games and they work great as part of a group”.
John Dowling, Clondalkin Addiction Support Programme

Ireland’s Issues Street Leagues
30 Gardiner Place, Dublin 1
01 8735137

Partners and Sponsors
Football Association of Ireland, Dublin City Council,
Principal Commercial Sponsor Start Mortgages, co sponsor Lifestyle Sports.

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