Description
Book SynopsisAn estimated 100 million people worldwide are homeless.
1.6 billion live in sub-standard housing.
But how can such a simple game like football tackle such a complex problem? Mel Young and Peter Barr tell the story of the million homeless people in 70 countries who have taken part in the Homeless World Cup since it was founded in 2003 and the positive impact it has on the players and everyone else involved, including spectators. From refugees to drug addicts, orphans and the poorest of the poor, to homeless people from the world's richest countries, we read about the moving human drama behind the event and find out how a ball can change the world.
Home Game provides an insight into the birth of the Homeless World Cup and how it has become such a global phenomenon, by looking at more than just facts. It shows how the power of sport can help excluded people transform their own lives and how the event has transformed attitudes to homelessness.
Trade ReviewPraise for The Homeless World Cup:
When people have a bad deal in life and things haven't been going their way, one of the ways they can get self-esteem back is through sports. The Homeless World Cup does that, and it also puts on the agenda that homelessness is a global issue. We all love football and we all hate homelessness – it's a no-brainer. Irvine Welsh Novelist and Ambassador for the Homeless World Cup
All over the world, we've got to end homelessness. Everyone should have a home. It's a right and not a privilege. People treat the homeless as if they're sub-human. In order to overcome this discrimination, we have to unite against homelessness as we did when we fought apartheid. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, speaking at the Homeless World Cup in Cape Town (2006)
The week-long tournament in Cardiff provided an incredible platform: for the players to demonstrate their skill and passion; for the public to engage with the tournament and with the varied debate and discussion that sat alongside football. The tournament generated a huge amount of positive goodwill in Cardiff and beyond, and the work to harness this and take it forward into a positive, lasting legacy, has already begun. MICHAEL SHEEN, Actor and Homeless World Cup Champion
I’m extremely proud to be joining the Homeless World Cup as a Champion. I’m excited to combine my passion for the game alongside the powerful work the Homeless World Cup does. Not only are they raising the issue of homelessness but actively doing something about it. CRISTINA RODLO, Actress and Homeless World Cup Champion
I didn’t think there could be anything better than the World Cup, but here it is: The Homeless World Cup! The only thing better than football in my eyes, is football that helps people. HERO FIENNES TIFFIN, Actor and Homeless World Cup Champion
The Homeless World Cup demonstrates the power of sport to bring people together and change lives for the better, something which I saw for myself first-hand when the tournament was held in Glasgow in 2016. The positive effect it had on the players lives and the inspiration they took from it was hard to miss. NICOLA STURGEON, Former First Minister of Scotland
