Above: Isabella gets physical in support of the cup. By Monique Ebrington
MELBOURNE schools have adopted homeless soccer teams from some of Africa’s poorest nations for the annual, international Homeless World Cup.
Up to 56 teams of homeless and disadvantaged people, from over 60 nations, will compete in seven days of fast-paced street soccer in Melbourne this December.
Support from schools not only helps the cost of living expenses for their nominated team, but shows students the power of sport and its ability to aid in the integration and acceptance of people less fortunate than them.
“The Homeless World Cup seems to capture the imagination of most students, and we have had particular success with engaging the hard-to-reach kids who seem excited about the event and the role they can play in it,” said the Adopt-a-Team project coordinator Melissa Razuki.
Eumemmerring Primary School is just one of a group of local schools raising money, creating care packages and learning about their adopted team, Zimbabwe.
“Being involved in the Homeless World Cup is a great way for the kids to become aware of homeless people in Victoria, Australia and the world and brings it back to the students that there are people out there in need,” said Eumemmerring Primary assistant principal Lynne McDonald.
She said that students were “blown away” by images of homeless people in Zimbabwe, some younger than them, and eagerly came up with ways to raise funds for their adopted team.
“It makes me feel really good inside and makes me feel good to know that I’m helping people,” said Grade 6 student Askin Ibraimovski on helping the Zimbabwe street soccer team through Eumemmerring Primary.
Participating schools will be invited to meet their team and watch them play during the tournament that will be held at Federation Square and Birrarung Marr from 1 to 7 December.
