Jamie Selected for Homeless World Cup
A former resident of North Wales Housing’s Noddfa Hostel has recently been selected to represent Wales at the prestigious Homeless World Cup competition.
Jamie Collins was referred to NWH about 3 years ago, and has spent some time at Noddfa – he has recently secured permanent accommodation. During his time at the hostel Jamie regularly attended the north Wales competition of Street Football Wales and regularly captained the Noddfa team to several victories, winning many trophies over the last 3 years.
Every year Street Football Wales (SFW) attends the Homeless World Cup. Over 70 teams from around the world gather in different locations across the globe to take part in the tournament. This year it is being held in Mexico City, Mexico in November.
SFW selectors attended the last North match day looking at the pool of players in the area and for individuals to attend the Welsh trials. Jamie impressed with his leadership skills, determination, attitude and passion, as well as his great football skills which resulted in him being chosen to attend the selection trials in Newport. Jamie made his mark and was one of a handful of players from north Wales to be selected to represent Wales at this year’s World Cup.
Taking part will involve a lot of hard work for Jamie. He has never been abroad before and he will be required to travel to south Wales at least once a week for training, team photos, charity work and press commitments.
Jamie said: “There is no doubt that this is an opportunity of a lifetime – it’ amazing. I’ve never been overseas before so going to Mexico will be a real learning experience. I love football and I’m so pleased and proud that I’ll be representing my country in this fantastic competition.”
The purpose of the Homeless World Cup is to use football to help people who are homeless to try and change their lives. People who are homeless are often isolated, therefore the event is a great chance for them to socialise and to be a part of a team and to learn to trust others – skills that can benefit them in the long term as they move to a long term stable home.
Every year the Homeless World Cup Foundation hosts a week long street football tournament. The first ever tournament was held in Gaza, Austria in 2003. Since then the competition has been to fifteen different cities across the world. Each year the competition attracts an audience of over 80,000 woth over 500 players taking part, representing 47 different countries.
