Jump to main content

Archive for March, 2010

Sir Alex’s letter to Deloitte Street Child World Champions

Football is a sport like no other. Throw down a football on a dusty roadside in Brazil or a parched pitch in Africa and see what happens. At once, players are united in the magic of the game no matter what their colour, creed or class.

Of course at the top level of the game, there are great rewards and great trophies to be won. But we should never ever forget the grassroots of the game, nor overlook the ability of football to help deliver social change and progress. It is not just about the superstars and the teams and players known the world over. It is about what sport can do to raise people’s hopes and expectations.

All eyes will be on the World Cup in South Africa. But I am delighted the country has already staged another World Cup – the inaugural Street Child World Cup. I was pleased to be able to support the project when it was first launched, and I am thrilled that it has gone so well. My heartfelt congratulations to India for winning.

But I believe everyone who has been in Durban will have learned something about themselves, about the world, and about the role of football as a force for good.

Best wishes,

Alex Ferguson

Published on: 31. 03. 2010 | Read more »

Going home

A strange peace has descended on the Star Seaside Home (where the teams have been staying), the Happy Hippo (where most volunteers have been) and Umthombo (our host organisation).

Teams and volunteers have been waved off to their home countries. The welcome awaiting them will – we hope and pray – be part of the incredible journey they have been on in the last few weeks.

Volunteers will be – no doubt – greeted with lots of “how was it?” questions. Difficult to sum up in a sentence -but I hope a chance for them to talk about the dignity, humanity, and hope of the young people they’ve been with, and to raise more widely a justifiable outrage that children like these could be so mistreated that they end up on the streets.

Teams can expect warm welcomes. In the Philippines, VIP receptions are being prepared. India are returning with a trophy, sent off by a reception at the Indian Consulate here in Durban. Ukraine are returning with the Fair Play award, and are accompanied by the governor of the province from which they’ve come – a great sign of commitment to listening to the voices of street children. My prayer for these amazing young people who have entered this event so completely is that after the dust and excitement has settled, they keep walking tall, in the way they have done here. I pray too that the changes in perception in each country will be lasting, and will contribute to real and lasting change in the ways that street children are treated. That’s what I’ll be going home to work towards.

The South African team are making different journeys home. As busses took the visiting teams away, some of the South African players chose to walk away, carrying with them the kit they had worn to represent their country. They walked back to Umthombo’s Safe Space – a place that feels like home to them. From there, the majority of the team have already been reintegrated back into homes. One child told me that their family was ready to welcome them because of all the radio, newspaper and TV coverage around this project. When I asked another how they were feeling about their next step (into a children’s home), they said they were feeling “strong – I feel healthy because I have been sleeping and eating and playing football every day. So I am going to stay strong when I am there”.

I’m at Umthombo now. Umthombo work to reintegrate children into homes every day – not just after events like these. These journeys aren’t always easy and children sometimes come on and off the streets several times. It’s work which requires persistence, commitment and creativity, to deal with the differing challenges for each child. I’ve been privileged to see this work close up – and to catch a glimpse of other organisations around the world working in similar ways. Ultimately, these are the journeys home we all want to see. Children coming off the streets and finding a welcome. Now that the event is over, this is the work of the Deloitte Street Child World Championship.

jenny

Published on: 25. 03. 2010 | Read more »

It’s nearly time to go home….

It’s Monday and ss I’m sitting here writing this I find it hard to believe that it’s almost all over. It’s been, hands down, the most amazing experience I’ve ever had. There have been tears of joy, laughter and sadness and I’m sure that as we say our farewells to our teams of children tomorrow there will be plenty more tears to come! I’ve been looking after the Nicaraguan team and have grown quite attached to them, it’s impossible not to. A couple of the lads proved popular with the ladies and one even ended up signing ties and legs…..oh, what it was like to be 16. Although I never got asked to sign ties, or legs…..mental note to self.

The day kicked off with the third and final conference session, it’s also been the first day where there have not been any football matches. My concern was that my team might lose focus slightly but they did a great job and it was humbling to hear their experiences and hear what changes they want to see. I think the constant supply of jelly tots and fizzy drinks may have had something to do with it as well!
Today’s focus was on access to health and education, combined with the two previous topics of home and protection against violence which have been covered this week, each team produced a manifesto, providing a resume of changes they want to see enforced.

A well deserved trip to the beach followed, but the sun disappeared as soon as we arrived, not that it stopped anyone from rolling around in the sea and sand. I can’t quite describe what it’s like seeing 100 kids running wild on the beach, but it’s fantastic chaos! With no sun some of the kids found other ways of amusing themselves, including burying each other in the sand and doing the same with volunteers flip flops….!

The evening came to a fantastic close with each team presenting their manifesto followed by the biggest multi cultural dance off ever, hosted by none other than a famous DJ (whose name I can’t remember) and one of the Umthombo staff who did a fantastic job. I’m not sure that my funky chicken quite cut it on the dance floor but I did try. It was just amazing to see all the kids dancing around together

It was a fantastic close to what has been an amazing week – so many new friendships have been made and each of us will go back with some great memories. This will be something we’ll never forget!

Lauren Hope

Published on: 23. 03. 2010 | Read more »

Tuesday March 23

Well, it’s almost over, and most of the teams go home today.
What an extraordinary ten days !
Intense, interesting, informative and inspiring.

I have been jolted into a realisation of the urgency of the actions needed to ensure that no child should have to sleep on the streets, and of the sheer scale of what is needed. Street children are a symbol and symptom of uncaring societies. Globally, the number of children sleeping and/or working on the streets with no access to education, health care or shelter runs into tens of millions.

The events in Durban have included the generation of an art exhibition, a conference where the children were able to share some of their experiences, football, together with various visits and beach fun.

Living on the streets results primarily from family breakdown, most often in the context of acute poverty. It can also result from trafficking and/or involvement with drugs and for other reasons.

For me, the highlights of the ten days include accompanying two street children (who come to Umthombo) to the local hospital because both had severe toothache. While we were waiting I had the privilege of being able to buy both of them a sandwich and a banana, as they were saying that they were hungry. The visit was facilitated by Eugene, one of the Umthombo workers. He smoothed the passage through the hospital bureaucracy. Both children had the offending tooth removed, and behaved with great dignity – and they were well treated at the hospital.

Other highlights have been the flexibility and resiliance of all the other volunteers; the singing and dancing among the South Africans on the bus (no coach ride will ever be the same again !); and, somewhat incidentally, some of the football. Perhaps the most memorable match was the one in which the Philippines beat Brazil 6-2 in the first ever such encounter between national football teams. Football has been a fantastic ‘peg’ on which to hang something far more important.

The key thing now is how all the hopes and ideas can be taken forward, particularly in the participating countries. The conference should result in a series of Manifestos relating to the realisation and implementation of childrens rights – so that in the future, NO child should have to live on the streets and all should have shelter, protection from violence and access to education and healthcare.

One of the positive outcomes from the conference was to demonstrate the positive effects of the NGOs supporting the participating teams, as a majority of the children rated their access to healthcare and education as being average to good. Only a minority rated them as poor or very poor. What this means is that the Manifestos produced also need to reflect the needs of the majority of street children who do not have the support of a good shelter run by a competent and supportive local NGO.

I am conscious of the enormous amount of work that has gone into preparing and running this event, with huge inputs from various Christian groups, and in particular the Amos Trust. The dedication and hard work of the main organisers has been awesome.

I am now going back to my comfortable existence in suburban London, while the Umthombo children here in Durban face daily dangers, threats and uncertainties, sleeping as they do, on the streets.
I will not forget my experiences here, and hopefully the Street Child World Cup will be a catalyst for change.
I pray that this will be the case.

Gordon Couch OBE

Published on: 23. 03. 2010 | Read more »

The Glory and The Pain

Wow. What a day.

Finals day was always likely to be something special but I’m not sure I ever thought it could be I that special.

As per yesterday we kicked off with the conference, this time with the focus on the theme of protection from violence. The Tanzanian team were, understandably, nervous about the afternoons proceedings but were still very studious resulting in some powerful and moving moments including discussions on police beatings they had seen and how local and international governments could work to push for the rights of street children.

With the conference over for the day, anticipation started growing towards the two finals. South Africa vs Philippines was the perfect match – the local team against the neutrals favourites. South Africa took an early lead only to be pegged back to 1-1. It stayed like that full time. Into extra time and finger nails were non-existent. It was all square until the last five minutes when a well taken header gave the Philippines a 2-1 advantage which they held onto to become plate champions. The South Africans, both players and crowds, were incredibly gracious in defeat and the winners given a fantastic ovation.

The final was proceeded by some brilliant Zulu dancers with Precious performing at half time. Both were breathtaking. Tanzania vs India was always likely to be a tight affair. India had most of the early pressure but Tanzania held on gallantly despite having a man sin-binned. The game moved towards the final 5 minutes with still no hint of a goal. Cue a sliding block-tackle from a Tanzanian, a blue card and a penalty. The foul look to many to be outside the box but the referee had made his decision. Up stepped the Indian to confidently dispatch the penalty and cue pandaemonium amongst the Indian bench. The Tanzanians fought to the end but to no avail. India were the first ever winners of the Deloitte Street Child World Cup.

While the Indians celebrated, the Tanzanians wept – literally. Many were so distraught they struggled to make it onto the pitch for the closing ceremony. It was heartbreaking to see how much it meant to them but as I have said to many people over the week – so much better to have had the experience than not at all. By the time of the art gallery opening, they were bouncing and dancing all over again!

The closing ceremony was also something special. To see all the teams together, in their kit, for one last time brought numerous tears to numerous eyes. This event has been special. More than that it has been extraordinary. India collected the trophy and raised the roof.

All week the artists have been working like Trojans to get the art gallery open on time – it was well worth it. The gallery looked stunning with all the children’s work mixed in with that of the Umthombo artists and the Momentum Arts team. It was wonderful to have one of the Tanzanians grab my hand and proudly show of his work to me. Another tear jerker. And finally, an impromptu rendition of Shosholosa led by the South Africans and joined in with by every player from every team, adults and children alike. Just another extraordinary moment in an extraordinary day in an extraordinary week.

It seems like a good chance to reflect on the week that has passed but as this is now getting long I will just pick two moments that have stood out for me – I could have picked hundreds. The Brazilian team arriving as the first team and the reception they got from the South Africans. I have simply never seen such warmth, friendliness and joy between two groups of people. Especially two groups who share no language. And the second – a Ukranian and a South African performing a Capoeira dance together. Need I say more?

It’s been amazing. Here’s to 2014.

Sam

Published on: 21. 03. 2010 | Read more »

The Night before the Day

Firstly, I apologise for delivering this late, the internet here at the Hippo is to blame, however let’s talk.

The day (20/03/10) started rather unusual, there was a sense of vagueness in the air, and most of the young people seemed rather reflective of the events of the night before the day.

Some young people said they had restless nights and did not particularly sleep well.

The night reminded me of how ephemeral life is and how we should appreciate every moment we live.

I vividly recall a Brazilian young person telling his team mates to stop counting the days left in Durban before they return to Brazil as they were ruining the dream in which he is living. AMAZING!!

And to me that statement said it all, being here is a dream to most of these young people, the experience of visiting the Miramax cinema was one to marvel at, I wasn’t at all concerned with the movie, but rather the look on most of their young faces was precious. All smiles and the look were of people who are finally living as people. AWESOME!!

The UK young people with whom I am privileged to work with say how much their lives have change after visiting to Townships and Street children living on the streets in Durban. How they now appreciate what they have back in the UK and value life more and to me that what this project is about, CHANGE! I doubt if there is a better form of education about Africa and disadvantaged people than what they have had these few days.

Now FOOTBALL!!

It was the semi final’s and everyone had something to say about each team’s chances of making it trough to the finals.

Tanzania the team everyone is petrified to play against versus Nicaragua one of the most loved sides of the championship. I wasn’t really sure who I wanted to win this one knowing the second semi final game (UK v INDIA) in my opinion will produce the eventual winner of the championship.

I’m biased and support team UK and know how technically gifted they are, however team India is the most organised side of the championship who understand the essence of team work and the philosophy of football.

The other game of the day was Ukraine vs. the Philippines, this was a game that in my opinion expressed the theme of the championship; one world, one community and one voice, everyone cheered both team like they were affiliated by birth to both nationalities.

All four games were really exciting to watch. However, as expected the UK v INDIA lived up to it’s billing; the strength, precision of passes, accuracy in making the right tackles and most importantly the passion were all evident on the day.
The passion took over some players and got sent to the sin bin, but overall it was a very complete game. And team India will face Tanzania, which will be a great game to watch.

At the end of the day it was all about playing football as one world within one community and with one voice.

Kelvin

Published on: 21. 03. 2010 | Read more »

Official Welcome to Durban…!

This is written in retrospect for yesterday-apologies!!

In contrast to the early 7am meetings of monday to thursday this week, we had a lie in this morning-well those at happy hippo did; I woke up form my overnight first aid stint at star seaside home to the sound of the breakfast bell not realising that it was due an hour earlier there!

So after a leisurely 9am briefing, we set off to star seaside home to meet all the teams and walk along Durban’s famous Golden Mile (not so golden at the moment as the whole beachfront is undergoing extensive refurbishment in preparation for FIFA 2010). An early lunch was had before spending a few hours chilling/diving down every slide on offer at Ushaka Marine World. One slide highlight was imitating the recent winter olympics skeleton bob (well kind of!) in train formation with the UK team! It was truly an amazing and wonderful sight, watching all the children of different nationalities and languages hanging out together on different slides, talking to each other as if they had no language barriers. I wonder if Ushaka will ever see Ukranian and philippino children running around and playing together again?

After a quick turn around, it was time to head to the new Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban for a reception hosted by the Mayor. I think all the teams thoroughly enjoyed walking out into the new stadium-the atmosphere of anticipation was quite remarkable. It was great to hear the Mayor welcoming everyone to Durban, engaging with the children and with Bulelwa Hewitt, former street child and current Operations Director of Umthombo.

The eveing was rounded off by Team India’s presentation which introduced us to the festival of Holi- which involved lots of brightly coloured paint powders which soon were thrown over everyone in representation of a battle between God and rebellious angels. A great day was had by all in the sun, without football but chances instead to spend time with teammates and new friends from across the globe-what an event this is proving to be!!

Posted by Joe Williams

Published on: 20. 03. 2010 | Read more »

Update from Chris

It was an incredibly moving moment to watch the teams arrive and the cheers as each turned up – I came in with the Philippines teams, 2 of whom have passports which they are not entitled to but have some how got here.

All the teams are so excited and loving it and none of them can believe that they are here. The south african team are dancing and singing on the bus – the ukrainians look so small and out of place, have 1 translator – but are just going for it- the indians really reserved until we gave permission to relax and the Brazilians so obviously brazilian that all the other teams are in a bit of awe of them – the Nicarguans loved paining the flags and themselves with the the arts teams and they have started to play football together and to high five each other and to just love one another’s company.

Today they have gone to the Safari park – jenny, john, joe and i like muppets have all stayed behind to do the vital prep work which got so thrown by the early arrivals of the teams – but we keep getting messages back of what a fantastic time they are having and how they are all going in the swimming pools at the park fully clad.

Gary Mabbutt has been great – he visited Umthombo yesterday and is meeting all the teams an doing press- it means a tremendous amount to them to have an ex England player who is so passionate about how wrong rounds ups are coming to talk to them and talk on their issues. And Deloitte down here have really got behind the whole idea

Plus lots of press in different places round the world and the feeling that this could be the start of something very special and really transformative .

Published on: 19. 03. 2010 | Read more »

Fighting for the rights of street children

Another 6am alarm call this morning; breakfast and on the bus by 6.45am and down to Umthombo where we have our daily briefing meeting. It’s a quick meeting now we’ve all settled into our very varied volunteer roles; buddying the teams on their trips to local schools, timetabling the transport, confirming the match schedules and completing the epic task of washing and drying 100 football strips for the 2pm kick-off – there’s plenty of work going on behind the scenes to make this unique and joyous event run smoothly.

But today was different for me, if not for the street children I later met. As we were about to leave for a meeting to discuss Sunday’s closing ceremony a call came through from Tom; there was a tip off that street children were being rounded up by the local police. We joined Tom in pursuit of the police van he now had in sight in order to document and better still, attempt to prevent this action. We found the van pulled over outside a supermarket and as we approached the blue metal grill doors it was apparent that the eyes peering out at us were those of children. I took photographs as Tom spoke to the faces looking back at us ‘How old are you?’, you can hear the replies for yourself here. <http://www.wateringcanmedia.com/clients/umthombo

As you can see the driver of the police van decided his best course of action was to speed off. We followed and he drove into an area we were prohibited from entering by other police officers. Eventually this ridiculous pursuit ended when the van entered a police compound. We parked up and entered the compound; about eight of us, mostly sporting Street Child World Cup t-shirts.

The defence of the police officer we spoke to was that these children were sleeping in old municipal buildings, they had therefore been trespassing. The police captains he told us, have orders from their superiors to 'keep the streets clean of vagrants'. The children had therefore been awoken with tear-gas and bundled into the back of the vans.

It took the arrival at the police station of a South African radio journalist we had called to give weight to our request to release the children. Plainly concerned that this had the potential to become a big media story during the week of the Street Child World Cup the captain quickly went out to release the children. Six children emerged from the police van, one of them wearing a Street Child World Cup t-shirt – the daily uniform of all us supporting this unique competition. Yesterday the boy wearing the t-shirt had been cheering on the South Africa team and here he was less than 24 hours later, rounded up but now fortunately released.

Umthombo are working hard to improve the lives of street children and today I saw Tom, Mandi and Biza fight face to face for the basic rights of children. The Umthombo drop in centre, Safe Space for street children provides just that, respite for the children; Umthombo's most pressing fight now is to ensure that the forthcoming FIFA World Cup does not escalate the round-ups of children and they are seeking resources from the city to enable them to extend their work.

Whilst the street children teams battle it out on the football pitch here this week, there are adults battling it out on their behalf and taking their fight to city representatives. It's hard work and mostly met with shocking resistance, but thankfully there are people working to give children a voice and a happy life.

Karen

Published on: 18. 03. 2010 | Read more »

End of 1st Round

After our challenging 7am team meeting (some of us enjoy early starts more than others…..) the football teams had their last morning visit to the schools where they have created wonderful, cathartic art works with the incredibly warm, fun, funny and generous host schools. Many of the teams have continued to be treated like superstars and numerous friendships have been formed; I fear copious tears will be shed and hearts broken as the teams depart Durban next week.
Also during the mornings some volunteers have joined the various programmes run by Umthombo, the host organisation, for the street children of Durban. This includes the medical team which is wonderfully led by Eugene and Eugene. Their daily work consists of tending to the medical needs of the children who visit Umthombo’s “Safe Space” daily followed by tours of the local places where the child and adult homeless spend their time, often parking up as a mobile drop-in clinic. The most common conditions reflect the harsh circumstances of their daily lives including numerous skin conditions, knife wounds, eye complaints, headaches and coughs. Simple things, particularly hygiene, would prevent and treat many of these problems. We also saw the cruel whip marks inflicted by the police. The more challenging diseases we saw this morning, including HIV and TB, are only manageable in populations who comply with the complicated medication routines which sadly are often impossible for those whose lives are so chaotic and disturbed. The Umthombo staff give their all to help manage these diseases but the burden is huge.
As we toured the local area we saw the heart-breaking evidence with our own eyes that the police are continuing the “round-ups” of the street children despite the agreement of the local Durban council that they would stop. There are many in authority here in SA, and elsewhere in the world, who continue to support this despicable policy in order to “clean up” the streets before the World Cup starts in June.
And so to the afternoon and the main business of the day, the final 3 first round matches. In the 1st game the tall, handsome Indians who play with grace and flair were too good for the brave, dignified Ukranians for whom we’ve all developed a bit of a soft spot. The dogged determination of the ever smiling, charming and engaging Philippinos enabled them to progress to the semi-finals after beating the passionate, charismatic and emotional Brazilians 6-2. Finally the Tanzanians, a very organised and industrious team drew 1-1 with the tough and energetic side from Manchester who gained many new friends after their admirable performance yesterday against Brazil.
Thus the line-up for Saturday’s matches is UK v India (1st semi-final), Tanzania v Nicaragua (2nd semi-final) followed by the plate matches of South Africa v Brazil (the loyalties of some of the local girls will be truly challenged by this match) and Philippines v Ukraine. Can’t wait!

Kate

Published on: 18. 03. 2010 | Read more »

« Older Entries

Photos

dscf1006 street-child_049 scwc-ww-1319

Please support us

Endorsements

  • "I know from personal experience just what power football can have to inspire and change young people’s lives whatever their background or nationality. This is what the Deloitte Street Child World Cup is all about and I give it my full support."
    David Beckham, AC Milan and England Midfielder
  • "No child should have to live on the streets. I commend the Street Child World Cup for providing a platform for the rights of street children to be heard."
    Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP, Prime Minister
  • "The Deloitte Street Child World Cup demonstrates the tremendous potential of every single child, and especially street children, who are so often treated as less than human. I am proud that the first ever Street Child World Cup will take place in South Africa – and I urge all governments to guarantee the rights of this most marginalised group of their citizens to lives in which their promise is fulfilled.Quot;
    Archbishop Desmond Tutu
  • "When ever people come across me they laugh. It seems like my mouth is zipped because they talk for us. I wish they could give us a chance to talk for ourselves."
    Mbali, 15, Durban
  • "When people see us by the streets, they say that we are the street boys. But when they see us playing soccer, they say that we are not the street boys. They say that we are people like them. They are people like us."
    Andile, 15, Durban
  • "I experienced hardcore street life in my youth. I know what it’s like. I congratulate the Deloitte Street Child World Cup project in it’s commitment to bring attention to the plight of Street Children through the power of football."
    Manny Pacquiao, Filipino professional boxer, current WBO World welterweight champion
  • "The Street Child World Cup hosted by Umthombo is a wonderful opportunity to hear the forgotten voices of Street Children – often marginalised, this is their time to be heard and to shine on the world stage. From the football field to governments across the world, this is a chance to celebrate the talent that every child has."
    Thandie Newton, star of Crash and 2012
  • "The Deloitte Street Child World Cup will use this game, which is loved all over the world, to help give kids a fairer deal. No child should have to be on the street."
    Gary Lineker OBE, former Tottenham, Barcelona, and England Forward and BBC’s Match of the Day presenter
  • "I am delighted that the first Street Child World Cup will take place in South Africa where I know there is a huge passion for football. No child should have to live on the streets and and I fully endorse this campaign giving street children a voice to claim their rights."
    Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United Manager
  • "Football and footballers aren’t always in the headlines for the right reasons but the Deloitte Street Child World Cup harnesses the power of grassroots football to change vulnerable young peoples’ lives for the better across the world through the talent that they have. Good luck to all those taking part."
    David Seaman, Former Arsenal and England Goalkeeper
  • "I’m delighted to endorse the Deloitte Street Child World Cup. This is a fantastic ground-breaking event, aiming to win rights for street children, not only in Durban but across South Africa – and even the world! I’m sure that every team will be a winner!"
    Sir Cliff Richard
  • "I’ve played football as a teenager with the world watching me. The Deloitte Street Child World Cup is a brilliant project which will help hundreds of thousands of teenagers who have been forced to live on the streets by getting the world to listen to them and give them a fair chance."
    Theo Walcott, Arsenal and England Forward
  • "No child should have to be on the streets. I am proud to support the Ukrainian team at the Street Child World Cup. Street children need the chance to show the world their potential."
    Andriy Shevchenko, Dynamo Kyiv and Ukraine Captain
  • "It was a privilege to be invited to the launch of the Street Child World Cup at Downing Street. It gives children a voice through football, a platform to express their rights and celebrate their abilities – I’m proud to add my support."
    Wilson Palacios, Tottenham and Honduras Midfielder
  • "Seeing young people enjoying the magic of football is what the game is all about and I feel honoured to be supporting the event for street children taking place in South Africa. The Deloitte Street Child World Cup is a fantastic grassroots initiative giving a voice to street children through the positive power of football. It’s an example of football making headlines for the right reasons. Good luck to all those taking part!"
    Eduardo, Arsenal and Croatia Forward
  • "I am proud that the first ever Deloitte Street Child World Cup will be held in my country in 2010. Football has the power to unite people from all over the world and gives young people the discipline and focus to let their true talent shine. No child should have to sleep on the street. I am delighted that the Deloitte Street Child World Cup will celebrate these children’s potential and call for their rights to be realised.Good luck to all the teams but especially the South African team Umthombo from Durban!"
    Aaron Mokoena, Portsmouth Midfielder and South Africa’s Captain and most capped player
  • "The Football Association commends initiatives such as the Deloitte Street Child World Championships which use the power of football to make a difference to people’s lives"
    Lord David Triesman, F.A. Chairman
  • "The Street Child World Cup is a superb campaign, bringing to attention the issues faced by some of the most vulnerable children in the world"
    Edith Bowman, BBC Radio 1
  • "My career is testament to the global village that football has become. The Deloitte Street Child World Cup is a groundbreaking campaign highlighting the essential rights that all children must be given. From Montevideo via Brighton and down to Durban – let’s spread the word!"
    Gus Poyet, former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, Brighton and Hove Albion Manager
  • "South Africa 2012 will be watched by most of the World. The Deloitte Street Child World Cup is the ultimate opportunity for us all to invest in the grassroots of football. Great campaign."
    Sam Allardyce, Blackburn Rovers Manager
  • "The power of football in the community is undeniable and football is now a global community. I support the Deloitte Street Child World Cup in raising awareness and support through football for the most vulnerable in our community: street children"
    Owen Coyle, Bolton Wanderers Manager
  • "Throughout my career I have been an advocate of community development through football and the Deloitte Street Child World Cup is an excellent example of uniting through football in support of young people across the World."
    Alan Curbishley, Former Charlton and West Ham Manager

    Follow us on: twitter, facebook