William McLean couldn’t believe his luck when he was selected to represent his country in the Homeless World Cup. William was a homeless ex-offender who had battled drug addiction when he started playing football, but the 27-year-old Edinburgh man says football has helped him turn his life around. Now, William is volunteering as an ambassador for young people and training to become a community football coach.
William got into football when he was staying at the Dunedin Canmore Housing Association Hostel in Leith. He took part in free Street Soccer events held at Portobello and Sighthill Power Leagues as part of a Dunedin Canmore project to help homeless men get into work.
After helping the Dunedin Canmore Partizan football team reach the Street Soccer National League Cup Final William was invited to attend trials for the national team to represent Scotland in the Homeless World Cup in August and was delighted to be selected for the final squad of 8 players from over 300 applicants. The Scots did the nation proud at the games in Paris, out-performing 47 other teams to bring home the trophy before going on to pick up the most inspirational performance award at the Scottish Sports Awards on 1 December.
When Dunedin Canmore started partnering with Street Soccer Scotland to offer football sessions the goal was to get more homeless men involved in their employability project. Now the Edinburgh based social landlord is celebrating what it says is a real home win for young men like William who have turned their lives around. Since returning from Paris William has continued to work with the employability links worker and developed an interest in community coaching. He is now volunteering with Street Soccer Scotland, working towards gaining SFA coaching qualifications and hopes to move onto paid work as a community coach.
James Horsburgh, the goalkeeper in the Homeless World Cup Team, also got involved through the Dunedin Canmore employability project and is now working as a community coach for a football team in South Gyle. William and James are former residents at Dunedin Canmore Hostel in Leith and both are now living in a permanent home.
The Dunedin Canmore Group was the official sponsors of both the men’s and women’s teams which competed in the prestigious International tournament. As well as contributing £5000 towards travel and accommodation for Scottish teams Dunedin Canmore sponsored William as an individual player.
William said, “The work that Dunedin Canmore has done for me is great. Instead of pushing me into a job they took the time to find my interests and helped me find something constructive to do with my time. A lot of people say that we’re just playing football but the skills we gain from taking part in the sessions, working as part of a team, communication, trust, health and safety, compassion – it all makes a difference.”
Gavin Edmonds, Community and Business Initiatives Officer said, “Football is about team work. It’s great for improving fitness and health including mental health. The project has definitely put the young people in a more positive place. The skills they learn can help them move out of poverty and into a better life. It can really help them look to their future.”
Ewan Fraser, CE Dunedin Canmore said, “We are proud to be associated with the Homeless World Cup and congratulate the team and players on winning this fantastic award. Dunedin Canmore is committed to helping others through a number of initiatives and the Employability Pathways Programme is a great example of how we can make a difference by giving people the skills and confidence to help them to move on in their lives.”
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