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Street
Soccer League goes to Limerick
LIMERICK further enhanced its image as Ireland’s sporting
capital on Thursday as the first homeless soccer league outside
of Dublin kicked off at UL Arena.
Nine teams have been assembled from around the city with the
help of several homeless hostels, community garda, Limerick
Youth Service, Doras, Moyross Youth Outreach and Southside Sports
Academy.
“Taking part in a soccer league and being on a team can
give people a lot more confidence and help them strive to achieve
more in life,” said Ireland’s Issues Street Leagues
founder, Sean Kavanagh, before the kick-off.
“We have guys from all sections of society who suffer
from addiction problems, ex-offenders, the long-term unemployed
and refugees. Taking part in something like this can give a
real sense of self-worth to those who have fallen on hard times.
“I can think of 20 people right now who have gone on to
change their lives after taking part in the soccer league. One
of the lads is now a sports development officer in Dublin, another
has his own carpentry business, while another is doing a social
studies degree in university. I know not everyone is going to
be a success story, but think of the benefits felt to the community
and the families of those 20 people who changed their lives
for the better.”
At the launch, nine teams played a blitz to allow teammates
get used to one another. The tournament will now continue every
Thursday at the arena under the watchful eye of co-coordinator
Brian White. Each of the players taking part will also have
the opportunity to claim a place on the Irish team that will
travel to Melbourne in December for the Homeless World Cup.
“I think this is a wonderful idea,” said Labour
Deputy Jan O’Sullivan, who also attended the launch. “Soccer
is actually a great medium, in that almost everyone has played
it at some point.
“This league will give people who have been down on their
luck the chance to participate and show their talents. Many
of the players will have been told in the past that they’re
no good, but this will show them that they have much to contribute.
There are so many benefits to this project.”
Mayor Ger Fahy said that he was an admirer of the project.
“It’s appropriate that, when they decided to branch
this outside of Dublin, they came to Limerick first. We have
a recognised status as the sporting capital of the country,
and I have no doubt this league will flourish here. As a man
with a sporting background, I can appreciate the many benefits
that come with being involved with a club. The winners in sport
aren’t the people who come home with the cups, everyone
who takes part gains something from the experience.”
FAI representative Denis Hynes said the FAI were very supportive
of the Street League program and saw the potential both at a
sporting and social level to the community.
Anyone wishing to participate in the league should contact Brian
White at Kilree Lodge on 061-413183, or Michael Harmon on 086-8261698
• Article courtesy of The Limerick Leader, reporter John
Hogan.