IT’S MANY HAPPY RETURNS TO FOOTBALL FOR TINA
Credit: Donnie Nicholson
With her blistering pace and distinctive topknot, Norway’s Tina Normark cuts a recognisable figure on the pitch. Full of smiles, positivity and hearty encouragement for her team-mates, like many participants at Hornet Stadium her demeanour belies the struggles she’s overcome to earn her place at this year’s Homeless World Cup.
“I started to play soccer when I was eight, then when I reached 14, I thought I was too cool to play football! There were other things more interesting for a young girl,” she begins. “Then after the birth of my son, I started to play again, when I was 22 – for amateur league clubs – and kept it going for the next eight years. I wasn’t one of the best players, but it was a lot of fun.”
Tina’s “very normal life, with a good job,” turned on its head when she had gastric bypass surgery at 30.
“I became addicted to the painkillers,” she explains. “Then it just escalated with party drugs, alcohol and my doctor prescribed a lot of medication to try to help me – I got everything I asked for, and this was the way of things for nearly eight years.
“I thought I could fix it myself all the time, that I didn’t need any help. My family tried to intervene, and I became angry. Then the child protection services came into the picture and there was a strong possibility I would lose my son, so then I had to get it together.”
After coming off everything that wasn’t prescribed by her doctor, Tina went to weekly counselling sessions to try to get off all the drugs, bit by bit.
“But every time I tried, it started to hurt, and I couldn’t do it,” she says quietly. “I tried for a year and then my brothers made an intervention and told me a lot of things I’d done that I didn’t remember. I asked them, ‘do you think I’m about to become crazy?’
“I felt I had no choice, by that point, other than to go into treatment, and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. Apart from the support I received, that was where everything else changed – the day people came to the treatment centre and showed us a film about the Homeless World Cup.
“A spark immediately lit inside me, and I knew this was something I wanted to be part of. So, I began playing football again, I got involved with my local team, went to all the practices and involved myself as a volunteer with the women’s team.
“I was a little bit sceptical to start over again when I was 37 because I was aware there was a bigger chance of injuries, but it’s been going very well.”
As her recovery progressed, and football became part of her life again, Tina also found a job. After eighteen months of being sober, she was employed by a clinic, helping people going through the addiction issues which she experienced. She also works as a volunteer at an activity hub, where football, running, CrossFit, cycling and social events help others through their challenges.
Without question, football has been Tina’s saviour.
“When I run on to the pitch, I feel the adrenaline rising –it's like endorphins being released – and I get a very emotional, happy feeling when playing soccer.”
Football has also helped her exceed her dreams.
“I became captain of the team – that was a really big thing for me,” she enthuses. “We thought there was going to be a Homeless World Cup last year and I had been selected as captain, so when it didn’t happen, I thought that was my chance gone.
“I was shocked – in a good way – when I was made captain again. I almost hoped somebody else would get the chance but when you are awarded the responsibility you are honoured to take it.”
When she thinks back to that day, at the treatment centre, watching the film about Homeless World Cup, could she ever have envisaged where she is now?
“Absolutely not,” she replies. “Leading my team, in this tournament, on to the pitch is huge for me. It’s so big that I really need to concentrate on enjoying each day I’m here because it feels unreal. I feel like I’m starring in a movie!”
It’s a movie being played out before one very special viewer, too. Her son, who’s now 18, and continues to live with her.
“Everything is okay with my son and he’s very grateful that I’m okay,” she says. “And he’s very proud of me. He’s playing for the men’s team now, in our hometown, competing in the Norwegian championship. When I became so involved in the sport again, I took him along to training with me – it’s been so good for us to spend football time together.”
As if there hadn’t been enough life-changing moments for Tina of late, on the eve of the tournament she celebrated her 40th birthday – with hundreds of new friends!
“They sang for me in the morning then when everyone was together,” she laughs, “then again outside in the garden, for the tournament draw, everyone was singing happy birthday to me.
“They say life begins at 40? It definitely has for me, thanks to Homeless World Cup.”
Credit: Donnie Nicholson
Words: Isobel Irvine