Slum Soccer has been selected for the final round of the Global Sports Forum Barcelona Trophies 2010 in the Philanthropy and cooperation through sports category, and will be highlighted during the Forum. The forum is being held from 8-10th march 2010.

Slum soccer is designed to provide opportunities and motivation for slum-dwelling and homeless children and youngsters to use football as a means to social improvement, increased self-worth and education, whilst providing new facilities and competitions for players to develop and demonstrate their talents.

By providing structured education for coaches and development programs throughout the year, we aim to increase the number of football coaching camps and tournaments, while our current courses and tournaments already incorporate health education and self-awareness presentations and discussion groups. With the increased opportunities for participation, we hope to create a platform for other organizations to work with us to provide further educational input on factors affecting local children and adults. Our new coaches will continue to enjoy our support, while many of those who have already worked with us have been able to find employment as coaches with local schools thanks to the increased confidence and abilities which they have gained from the courses.

For two-and-a-half days, the Global Sports Forum Barcelona will bring together athletes, business leaders, heads of large media groups, politicians, representatives of institutions and directors of foundations and NGOs. Together, they will debate the real challenges facing sport in modern society.

VOLUNTEER AT THE RIO 2010 HOMELESS WORLD CUP AND TRAVEL FREE TO BRAZIL

The Homeless World Cup, has opened the opportunity for 30 lucky volunteers to join 64 national teams of homeless players on Copacabana Beach, Rio, Brazil from 18-28 September 2010 for the Rio 2010 Homeless World Cup.

30 volunteers will raise £2,300 in sponsorship to enable one homeless player to participate in the Rio 2010 Homeless World Cup and cover their own flight, accommodation and leisure activities.

The Homeless World Cup is a world-class annual, international football tournament, uniting teams of people who are homeless and excluded to take a once in a lifetime opportunity to represent their country and change their lives forever. It has triggered and develops grass roots football projects in over 70 nations working with over 30,000 homeless and excluded people throughout the year.

The impact is unprecedented. Over 70% of players change their lives coming off drugs and alcohol, moving into jobs, education, homes, training, reuniting with families, becoming players and coaches for pro or semi-pro football teams.

The first Homeless World Cup took place in Graz 2003 uniting 18 national teams. It has since grown to unite 64 nations at the 8th Rio 2010 Homeless World Cup, which includes a Women’s Cup. Paris, France is the host of the 2011 Homeless World Cup. It is supported by Nike, United Nations, UEFA, Vodafone Foundation, Global Ambassador Eric Cantona and international footballers Didier Drogba and Rio Ferdinand.

To find out more contact Lynn Jarvis on +44 (0)131 652 8190 or lynn@homelessworldcup.org. Visit www.homelessworldcup.org.