A TEENAGER who was left seriously injured when she was struck by a car following an Orange Order march in north Belfast two years ago is to play in the Homeless World Cup.
Phoebe Clawson (18) broke her ankle, collarbone and pelvis when she was trapped under a car driven by Orangeman John Aughey in July 2015. A total of six people were injured.
Tensions were high in the area after a Parades Commission ruling had banned an Orange lodge and flute bands from walking past the Ardoyne shop fronts.
Aughey was later found guilty of common assault, actual bodily harm and grievous bodily harm.
Two years on, and Ms Clawson is preparing to head to Norway on Monday with the first ever female Northern Ireland team to play in the Homeless World Cup.
She moved out of her family home in February and into the Flax Foyer hostel in north Belfast.
Her team will compete against 49 other countries in the tournament, which runs until September 5.
Prior to receiving her injuries, Ms Clawson had been a keen footballer but said she "never thought" she would be able to continue playing.
"The doctors and surgeons said I would never play football again. This broke my heart and shattered my dreams," she said.
"All thanks to Street Soccer my dreams are coming true. My family are very proud of me. I now want to become a football coach, get my own home and own a BMW."
Last year, a men's team finished 13th in the tournament, Northern Ireland's best ever performance.
Of the nine players involved last year, six now have their own home, three obtained full-time employment, and two completed coaching badges with the IFA and became qualified referees.
Steven Hawkins, a member of the men's squad competing this year, said: "Three months ago I joined Street Soccer and I was a mess.
"I was homeless, self-harming on a daily basis, and feeling sorry for myself. I didn’t have the motivation to get out of bed and do something with my life.
"My life has changed dramatically, I haven't self-harmed since joining Street Soccer and now want to get into a work and get a home of my own. I’m proud of representing Northern Ireland, it’s something I never thought I could do."
The players were selected from leagues run weekly by the charity Street Soccer NI, which was founded in 2010 and whose main partners are East Belfast Mission and the IFA.
Alongside football they offer support around issues including housing, employability and addictions.
Aidan Byrne, co-founder of Street Soccer NI and manager of the Hosford Homelessness service at East Belfast Mission, said: "Over the past four years we have seen the Homeless World Cup project have a huge positive impact on the lives of the players.
"I'm delighted that our players from the first women's team now have the same opportunities to transform their lives. I’m really proud to be involved in this project which is using an innovative approach to tackling homelessness."
