By Sean Condon, Editor-in-Chief, Megaphone Magazine
Photo by John Donne
Winning 6 to 5, a group of homeless and formerly homeless Downtown Eastside residents beat a squad of Vancouver politicians earlier this month in a thrilling game of street soccer.
Portland FC, which is made up of residents from the Portland Hotel Society’s social housing and shelter projects, proved their grit by out-battling a team of surprisingly fit city councillors led by Mayor Gregor Robertson.
It was a monumental triumph—not just because a group of low-income and homeless people knocked off a team of powerful political figures (although that should give everyone just a smidge of satisfaction), but because street soccer has the ability to transform the lives of its players. Who won the game didn’t matter. It was a victory that it was played.
As Megaphone assistant editor Kevin Hollett shows in this issue’s cover feature (‘A Level Playing Field’, page 12), street soccer gives homeless and formerly homeless players a much-needed opportunity to improve their circumstances. Street soccer gives them a chance to come together on the field and play as a team, after years of feeling alienated and discarded.
According to the Homeless World Cup—the annual, international street soccer tournament—the sport has helped a remarkable 73 per cent of its players improve their lives— either by kicking their drug or alcohol addictions, moving on to jobs, education and housing, or being reunited with their families.
By taking the challenge against a team of homeless players, Mayor Robertson showed he understands how important street soccer can be for the players, and won a lot of respect on the field and in the streets. But now it’s up to Robertson to continue to show his support for the city’s burgeoning street soccer movement. To keep the sport growing, it needs city grants and funds.
Portland FC team captain and park commissioner Sarah Blyth has done a remarkable job leading her team onto the field. Now let’s see City Hall rally behind the squad and help turn all its players into champions.
