St. George's Park is the training home of England's 24 national teams, but this week the national football centre added a 25th England squad to the list.
England's new Homeless squad gathered in Burton-on-Trent for the first time as part of their preparations for the Dutch International Street Cup in Amsterdam and the Homeless World Cup in Chile.
Both the men's and women's squads utilised St. George's Park for a training day and for the launch of their new kit ahead of their trip to the Netherlands on 10 September.
But as well as being a crucial part of the team’s preparations, the day was designed to celebrate the hard work each player has put in and their achievement of being selected to represent their country.
"The purpose of today is the first time all of Homeless Team England come together in a celebration event,” explained Gareth Parker, Head of the Homeless Football Association.
"It is a huge thing for the men and women here, and if you speak to them you realise that being selected for your country is huge. For us it is a way of harnessing football a little bit more."
Homeless FA Stats
- 100%: Homeless FA players report increased confidence levels
- 67%: Players go on to further education
- 30%: Players gain full-time employment within six months
- 60%: Improve their housing situation
Parker explained that all those selected have experienced homelessness at some stage of their career and the training day was a shining example of how the Club England name combined with the centre’s commitment to supporting all England teams can have considerable impact.
"As an affiliate of The FA and Club England we are privileged to be able to use the facilities here at St. George’s Park and to be made to feel welcome and worthy of being here as all the other teams,” Parker explained.
"The moniker Team England makes people feel they really are worth something and that’s what we want them to believe because when they feel that it will change their lives."
His sentiments were echoed by goalkeeper, James Statham, who had heard about the initiative while at the YMCA and was now preparing for to travel to Chile to represent England.
"It has been awesome. Without the Homeless FA I wouldn’t have an opportunity to come here. This is probably one of the best training facilities in the world and I have got to spend a whole day here, and with football meaning so much to me it is a proper dream come true.
"My heroes train here. People who I idolise, like Joe Hart, have sat in the same changing rooms as me, and so I have been able to live that dream of feeling like a professional."
For peer mentor Becca Mushrow, there was just one thing she was hoping to see from all of the players involved.
“A smile. People might think that the football is the main priority for the Homeless FA but a smile, although it is one of the littlest things, it has the biggest impact.”
For more information about the Homeless England Team and the Homeless FA please visit http://homelessfa.org/
