Celebrating their Brighter Communities funding award from Power NI are Street Soccer representatives (back row from left) Karam Al Hourani, Ciaran O’Kane, Helen Heyburn, Chris Miller, Terry Moore, Conor Owens, Brendan Pierce and Ciaran O’Hara. Front row (l-r) Justin McMinn, Kevin Miller, Robert Strong, John Gilliland, Eamon Dooley and Lianne Mulholland.  

Power NI is helping a special needs team from Street Soccer NI to wrap up warm during winter matches with a £1000 grant from its Brighter Communities programme.     

Power NI’s Brighter Communities initiative was set up in April 2018 and each month seeks applications from small or large community, sporting, charity, youth and all age groups who have a tangible project which needs financial support. 

Operating from premises in East Belfast, Street Soccer NI runs weekly football sessions in Belfast and Derry/Londonderry for men and women from disadvantaged backgrounds. The team are passionate about transforming lives through football and aim to bring positive change tackling homelessness, unemployment, addiction and mental health issues.

In addition to their weekly training and match sessions, Street Soccer NI organises trips and tournaments and each year 16 homeless men and women represent Northern Ireland in the Homeless World Cup. Local competitors have competed in countries across the globe including Poland, Chile, Norway and Mexico. The 2019 World Cup festival took place in Cardiff, Wales and this year’s event is hosted by the Finnish city, Tampere. Street Soccer NI has also hosted a 5 Nations Cup.

Justin McMinn from Street Soccer NI said:

“We’re delighted to have received a Brighter Communities grant from Power NI to help develop our learning disability project. Our players are excited to have received new kit and training tops which help them feel more included and part of the team. This funding award will help us continue our work in tackling issues including homelessness, addiction, mental health issues and social isolation.”       

Congratulating Street Soccer NI on their funding award, Power NI’s Gemma Louise Bond said:

“Sport and in this case football, is a great unifier and helps bring some of Northern Ireland’s more disadvantaged and vulnerable people together with a sense of purpose helping them achieve goals and success both on and off the pitch.

“We’re thrilled to provide a range of team winter-proof clothing and I have a feeling with our local weather the gear will be well-used throughout the Winter season. Street Soccer NI does a wonderful job and generates a lasting impact for many of its participants, some of whom have gone to play for Irish League clubs.”                  

To find out more about Brighter Communities, and to make a submission, potential applicants can access information via www.powerni.co.uk/brightercommunities.