From player, to coach, to business founder - David Duke’s 20 year Homeless World Cup journey
|“For most of us it’s our first chance." David Duke was a player at the Gothenburg 2004 Homeless World Cup Image: Anita Milas
“I feel old, it’s crazy to think that back in 2004 I’d still be here doing this,”said David Duke, Founder of Street Soccer Scotland. He’d just been cheering on Team Scotland as they faced Brazil on Day 3 of the Homeless World Cup in Seoul. The game didn’t end in a win for Scotland, but as Duke stresses for the players it’s not really about the wins.
“We win some games we lose some games, it’s about the moments you can create for yourself, the memories, the relationships you form not just with your own team but with other teams swapping jerseys and all that stuff,” he said.
From player, to coach, to founder he has many many memories.
“I still reflect back on different tournaments. There's something special about every one. Obviously the one you play in has the most impact on you as an individual,” he states.
One thing he makes clear is that this isn’t a tournament about second chances - it’s about transformation.
“For most of us it’s our first chance. A lot of people don’t have the same opportunities as others to progress in life, and maybe lacked certain support mechanisms that other people have. So for me the Homeless World Cup was a first chance, and for many players you see here. They are at the start of the journey and a life that they want, and a life that they choose.”
He says the past doesn’t define us, but there is a caveat.
“Everything that happens in your life shapes you. You need to own your story, there’s a magic in your story. Just think about the bravery and the courage that the players have shown just to be here, that’s golden.”
“The great thing is a lot of teams promote players to coaches, you see players that were in 2010 now managing the team which is great.”
That is crucial to the success of Street Soccer.
“I was lucky to have great role models around me, my coach Ally was a legend, the manager of the team that won in 2011. That’s what we try to do here, for Scotland we've got Andy, Ross and Jack, Ross being a former player. On the England team we’ ve got Craig, Frankie, and Yassin, two are ex-players. You couldn’t have better role models, they are just fantastic human beings and have such big hearts and they really care.”
“The tournament kick started a movement around the world.”
Beyond the joy and the impact of the event, which does an amazing job raising awareness, Duke states there is much work to be done.
“Sadly the challenges that we faced 20 years ago, which I faced, they still exist. That is why we are all still here, to champion ending homelessness, to tell people that everyone deserves a place to go home and a community to be part of. The reality is that homelessness figures in Scotland haven’t really changed much since I was experiencing homelessness and that needs to change and that needs to be fixed.”
“The Homeless World Cup is a great platform to raise awareness around homelessness. We need to keep talking we need to keep shouting, but also the HWC shows people as people, it takes away stigma.”
For Scotland and England Street Soccer, Duke says he’s in his dream job and is focused on the work ahead.
“A. How can we help more people? And B. how can we improve our practice and make the experience better for people? There’s someone out there right now that needs to be part of something- that needs to feel that they belong to something - and hopefully Street Soccer can provide that.”
He’s enjoying the cultural experience in Seoul, but adds the tournament magic isn’t about location.
“It’s amazing, totally different, the people are very friendly, very welcoming. But you can take this tournament anywhere - you can take this tournament to the darkest place on earth and it would light up because its all about the players.”
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Words: Andi Phillips
Images: Anita Milas