The Ireland Women’s National Team reaffirmed its support to the Irish Women's Homeless World Cup squad by donating a full set of match kit for 2024.With the help of primary sponsors Sky Ireland, the WNT squad were keen to follow up on the link created in 2021 between the two teams where they supplied much-needed gear and equipment.Now, they will present the players who are selected from the Irish Homeless Street Leagues with new Sky-branded Castore kit ahead of competing in the Homeless World Cup next summer.The Homeless Women's World Cup team finished fourth at this year's tournament in Sacramento, United States - winning eight of their 11 games. The team is made up of players from diverse backgrounds and circumstances; using football as a positive force to change their lives.
28 November 2023; Republic of Ireland's Katie McCabe and Eileen Gleeson with members of the Irish Homeless Street Leagues at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/SportsfileThrough the Irish Homeless Street Leagues, the players are introduced to an environment that creates positive change by motivating, inspiring and developing people who have experienced homelessness, alcohol and substance abuse, or are ex-offenders, long term unemployed and refugees. This results in increased positive outcomes which challenge the stigma and perceptions often related to people with these social issues. The Homeless World Cup is an annual tournament with over 50 countries participating. Players representing Ireland are selected not just for their footballing ability. Their commitment to our training programmes, positive attitude, teamwork, discipline, health and wellbeing play a role in their selection. These are the attributes that empowers them to move on in life. Representing their country is validation of that and is life changing.For more information, visit www.irishstreetleague.com
