This summer we are incredibly proud to have been a small part of the Homeless World Cup 2019 that took place in Cardiff. As well as making the Welsh slate trophies, we also had an exciting visit from a Welsh superstar and got to visit the event itself in Cardiff’s Bute Park.
Homeless World Cup Foundation
The Homeless World Cup Foundation was founded in 2003 and involves over 70 different Street Football Partners in over 450 locations. The goal of the foundation is to use football as a tool to support and inspire participants, who have experienced homelessness or other social disadvantages, to make changes to their lives for the better.
The hope is that being a part of a team helps participants to build relationships, learn important skills and gain responsibilities that will aid them in their reintegration into society. In the process, they also hope to change the perceptions and attitudes towards homelessness.
Homeless World Cup Tournament Cardiff 2019
The focus of the foundation’s efforts culminates with their annual international football tournament- The Homeless World Cup. The tournament is a celebration of the work put in by the foundation and their partners and also of the 100,000 homeless people that are supported by the scheme every year.
To take part in the tournament, players must have experienced either of the following:
- Have been homeless at some point after the previous year’s tournament in accordance with the national definition of homelessness
- Make their main living income as a street paper vendor
- Be asylum seekers currently without positive asylum status or who were previously asylum seekers but obtained residency status a year before the event
- Currently be in drug or alcohol rehabilitation and have also been homeless at some point in the past two years
So far, the Homeless World Cup has taken place in 15 different countries and there are currently 50 countries from around the world that are represented by 4-a-side teams.
Year Host Winner
2003 – Graz (Austria) Austria
2004 – Gothenburg (Sweden) Italy
2005 – Edinburgh (Scotland) Italy
2006 – Cape Town (South Africa) Russia
2007 – Copenhagen (Denmark) Scotland
2008 – Melbourne (Australia) Afghanistan
2009 – Milan (Italy) Ukraine
2010 – Rio De Janeiro (Brazil) Brazil
2011 – Paris (France) Scotland
2012 – Mexico City (Mexico) Chile
2013 – Poznan (Poland Brazil
2014 – Santiago (Chile) Chile
2015 – Amsterdam (Netherlands) Mexico
2016 – Glasgow (Scotland) Mexico
2017 – Oslo (Norway) Brazil
2018 – Mexico City (Mexico) Mexico
2019 – Cardiff (Wales) Mexico
In 2019 the week long football festival came to the heart of Wales’ capital, Cardiff’s Bute Park. As well as the 4-a-side tournament, people could enjoy live music, inspirational talks and plenty of fun for the whole family at the free event.
How Slate House Got Involved
All of the teams are presented with a small plaque at the closing ceremony to acknowledge their part in the tournament. As it was the first time the Homeless World Cup has come to Wales the organisers wanted to make these plaques from something iconically Welsh. So that’s where we stepped in!
Slate House was approached by the event managers back in June to become a sponsor of the event. As an independent business ourselves, we know how important it is to show support for other local businesses, charities and events and we were thrilled to be a part of such a high profile event in Wales.
From our wide range of products, which includes resin sports trophies and glass and crystal awards, we supplied the Homeless World Cup with Welsh slate trophies for all 64 teams. We created a bespoke design that would be laser engraved onto the Welsh slate, including the Homeless World Cup Cardiff 2019 logo and each category name.
A Visit From Michael Sheen
The week before the event we had a very exciting visit from the Welsh ambassador for the tournament, Michael Sheen. Michael came to our Neath store to learn more about Slate House and how the trophies are made, and to thank us for our involvement.
Our Day Out At The Homeless World Cup Cardiff 2019
On the final day in Cardiff, we were invited to watch a couple of Wales’ final matches as well as the awards ceremony, where the teams were awarded their Slate House Welsh slate trophies.
Overall the tournament was a huge success, with Mexico City winning their 4th overall title. We are so proud to have been a part of such an important event!
So We bet you’re all wondering how Wales did? Wales’ Men’s team finished 8th in the Cardiff Cup and Wales’ Women’s team finished 3rd in the Celtic Cup. A fantastic result all round!
