Homeless World Cup extends a life-changing invitation to women
Last updated 9/3/2008 5:12:04 PM
Homeless World Cup extends a life changing invitation to women
What's the best thing about sport? The passion and excitement? Maybe. The obscene money spent on football transfers? I don't think so.
It could be its ability to transcend all walks of life, race, sex and religion and remain accessible to all.
So rejoice then at the 2008 Homeless World Cup taking place in Melbourne where they have introduced a Women's Cup for the first time. Eight nations and 80 women from Cameroon, Colombia, Ivory Coast, Kyrgzstan, Uganda, Zambia, Liberia and Paraguay will compete to become the first time champions from December 1-7 at Federation Square and Birrarung Marr.
Founder and President of the Homeless World Cup, Mel Young, said: "The Homeless World Cup has demonstrated that sport has tremendous power to change lives, to change the world.
"Women participating in the previous tournaments have been tremendously successful and we want to build on this success. Introducing the Women's Cup extends this life-changing opportunity and the benefits of sport to more and more women around the world."
Research has consistently demonstrated that over 70 per cent of players that take part in the Homeless World Cup experience a significant life change. They come off drugs and alcohol, move into homes, jobs and education, training, repair relationships and even become coaches and players.
Founded by world-leading social entrepreneur Mel Young, Melbourne 2008 is hosted by The Big Issue and supported by UEFA, Nike, Vodafone Group Foundation, Victorian Government, City of Melbourne, Goldman Sachs JBWere, BHP Billiton, Jo-Anne and Greg Beirne, Macquarie Group Foundation, Global Ambassador Eric Cantona and international footballers Didier Drogba and Rio Ferdinand.
For more information, visit www.homelessworldcup.org