Homeless charity soccer squad get backing from local business

What started out as a Facebook post from one of the Street Soccer players asking for financial support on Pat Ramsey’s Facebook page led to JJ Butcher and Simon Eakin, owners of the The Ship’s Key Aparthotel luxury accommodation, meeting with players and offering support.

Simon and JJ said they were ‘delighted’ to help. “Homelessness is on the rise in the city, this has become very apparent to us as we have been working closely with the NI Housing Executive over lockdown. The guys we met from Street Soccer NI are so passionate about the sport and the charity. It is like a family circle and the guys benefit from greatly from it. We believe this so important as it is a lifeline for the players, especially those suffering from mental health issues and addictions.”

Justin McMinn, CEO and Co-Founder of Street Soccer NI thanked the local business owners: “Since they invited us for a chat, we have received over £2,000 in donations from them and some of their friends and this is only the beginning. They really want to make a difference in the city.”

Street Soccer NI utilises football to transform lives and run two sessions a week at Magee campus working with over 40 people. They also offer players support with housing, employment, addictions, mental health issues and more. Over the next year, Street Soccer also want to develop a separate project for women and one for refugees and asylum seekers.

Street Soccer team player Conor Deane 28, who captained the NI Homeless World Cup team that finished 12th in the World Cup in Norway in 2017, said: “I’ve been involved for three years now. It’s just changed my life big time, I was homeless and going down a bad road when I joined but it made me want to work and settle down. My mental health has got better and better since joining.

“I’m now involved in helping with coaching and I love seeing new boys coming through that were like me and I try to help them.”

John Curran 57, player, added: “I’ve been going to Street Soccer for over three years now and it’s big change in my life. It gives me freedom, when I’m there my worries disappear. It gives me something to look forward to, I can’t wait until the next session. It’s a like a big family, we look out for each other.”

Mayor Brian Tierney, who visited a session at Magee, said: “It was great to see first hand the role sport has played in transforming the fortunes of some of the most disadvantaged people in our City and District. It has been a lifeline to many suffering from mental health issues and addiction, bringing structure and a sense of belonging to their lives.”