JAMES Traynor is one of eight formerly homeless Irish men who have just returned from Chile where they represented their country in an international football tournament.
The 39-year-old, who became homeless at the age of 13, was the goalie for Team Ireland - which finished 16th out of 48 nations competing in the 2014 Homeless World Cup.
The event, which took place in Santiago from October 20-26, annually brings homeless and socially disadvantaged men and women from across the world together to represent their countries and make a “positive change” to their lives.
Sean Kavanagh, editor of Ireland’s Big Issue magazine and founder of the Street Soccer Leagues organisation, who helped select and coach Ireland’s 2014 team, explained: “Playing sport, being involved and being given the chance to represent Ireland in the Homeless World Cup develops a new sense of self-worth and is often the first step back from the peripheries of life into mainstream living.”
He added: “Lads start to realise their own worth, and often their lives change accordingly. For us, while the tournament is of course important, it is about so much more than just a game of soccer. It is about re-building and empowering people to overcome adversity.”
For James Traynor, who fell homeless at 13, spent time in jail and has battled serious drug and alcohol addictions for many years, his contribution as goalie for the Irish effort in the global competition has been nothing less than life-changing.
“Who would have ever thought, the World Cup?" he said.
“I can’t believe the size and scale of the tournament! It was tough out there in the heat but it was an amazing experience.”
Regarding his earlier struggles with homelessness and substance addiction, he added: “I felt sub-human and honestly I was sick of feeling sick.”
Luckily finding the Street Soccer League a year ago set him on a path to change.
"Counselling has helped me massively,” he admits.
“I've been clean for a year and a half and the counselling has kept me strong.”
He added: “I'm 39 years old but I believe that you are never too old to keep learning and go back to studying. Now I would like to work in psychotherapy after all that it has done for me."
England, Scotland, Wales and the North of Ireland also fielded teams for the international competition.
For further information visit www.irishstreetleague.org or www.homelessworldcup.org
See More: Homeless World Cup, James Traynor, Team Ireland
