New Women’s Homeless World Cup trophy ‘Open Rose’ highlights togetherness of the Homeless World Cup
|Image: Anita Milas
The competition on the pitch in day six of the Homeless World Cup might have been fierce and fair, but togetherness was the day’s key theme as partners FIFA unveiled a brand-new women’s trophy.
The trophy – Open Rose– is a unique design with upward flowing gold struts representing the leaves of a flower opening up, elevating a silver globe.
Collaboration is key at the Homeless World Cup so a brief for the new trophy was formed by a Women’s Steering Group.
Global member countries, including serial champions Mexico, Street Soccer USA’s Lisa Wrightsman, 2023 hosts Tiffany Fraser and Cassandra Pye, board member Kate McCheyne, staff member Zoe Hopkins, long-term Australian volunteers- photographer Anita Milas and writer Fiona Crawford -plus former Zambian player Beautypalo Mulenga all shared inspiration and input.
The first people to get their eyes on the new silverware were the captains of the sixteen women’s teams. Come Saturday, just one team will get their hands on the new trophy. That’s the nature of a football tournament. But it was another captain who talked the team leaders through the opportunities that could be unlocked by competing for that chance, former Women’s Captain for Palestine and Homeless World Cup Champion Honey Thaljieh joined the players at the reveal.
“This is such a powerful moment,” said Honey Thaljieh, FIFA Public Relations Manager, who handed over the new trophy. “This new, modern Homeless World Cup women’s trophy designed by FIFA carries a message on the power of sport in unlocking our potential as human beings. The 16 Homeless World Cup captains are living that dream right now. It's truly special to be here with them today and I hope it inspires them to a new tomorrow.”
|Honey Thaljieh with the 16 womens' Homeless World Cup captains. Image: Anita Milas
The celebrations continued, this time with Kenyan Jane Hato who turned 18 today in the Seoul sunshine. Her birthday wish? For her team to score a goal for each year of her life. It’s a life which has had its challenges. The Kenyan football programme she’s part of is crucial for creating awareness and educating on gender-based violence. Jane’s life has been a competition but on the pitch she “feels free”. You’ll be pleased to know she got her wish, the Kenyans racking up- yes, you guessed it- exactly 18 goals in a 6-0 win over Northern Ireland and a 12-7 score against France in Group A.
|Kenyan player Jane Hato celebrated her 18th birthday today. Image: Anita Milas
Elsewhere, in women’s Group A, Romania bested France 7-4 while in Group B, Poland got past Egypt 5-3 and champions Mexico beat India 5-0. In Group C, Denmark beat Finland 3-1 and the USA got past Austria 7-0. Over in Group D, Ireland beat Sweden 10-0.
The men’s tournament was home to high drama on day six. At the outset of proceedings, unbeaten England led an incredibly competitive Group A which saw Mexico, South Africa, Bulgaria and Egypt all with a shout of making the top tournament come the end of this stage. After falling to four-time champions Mexico in the morning 7-1, England left it late against Egypt, overturning a 5-2 half-time deficit to win 6-5 and qualify thanks to their fair play record. The Three Lions will be joined by the Mexicans in the top competition.
|Image: Angelica Ibarra Rodriguez
Not to be outdone in the drama stakes, Group D was another which went to the wire. Lithuania beat Brazil with the last kick of the match 4-3. The same score saw Ireland nudge past Uganda, joining the Lithuanians in the quarters.
The four will be joined in the quarter finals by the USA and Portugal from Group B and Indonesia and Northern Ireland from Group C.
While there’s just two days to go in the tournament, some stories are only just beginning.
Words: Daniel Tyte
Images: Anita Milas