During the night of sport, the special prize for sport media was awarded to the delegation from the Homeless Team ‘the Lierse Boys’. The prize was awarded under the auspicess of the sport committee on recommendation by the Lierse Press Association.
WORLD CUP IN MILAN
The Homeless Team ‘de Lierse Boys’ were established last year as part of the 'Open stadium' project in conjunction with (amongst others) the Steunpunt Algemeen Welzijnswerk, de Stappaert and the Straathoekwerking. The football initiative is meant to give homeless people, who do not have an easy life, a new path in their life and a recognised role in society. Under the leadership of coach Chris Janssens, they took part in the 2009 ‘Belgian Homeless Cup’. After a 3rd place finish in Antwerp, a first place in Kortrijk, and a Cup win in Brussels. As a result ‘de Lierse Boys’, together with teams from more than 50 countries, took part in the ‘Homeless World Cup’ in Milan last September. In Milan they put in some good performances and won the ‘INSP Networking Trophy’.
SUCCESSFUL REINTEGRATION
On their return home they were welcomed back at the stadium. That the football had had a positive effect on the participants was borne out by the fact that several of the players found work in the meantime, others have enrolled for training or work experience, or have entered voluntary work. Most of them regained their social contacts abd recovered their self confidence. This is with no small thanks to the trainers Kristof Daems and Kurt Verreycken. Meanwhile the opening tournament of the ‘Belgian Homeless Cup 2010’ has taken place. 9 teams participated. ‘De Lierse Boys’ ended 4th, but were pushed up to 2nd place on the basis of their social judgement and as winner of the fair-play trophy. Dependent upon the results of the tournaments in Kortrijk and Brugge, there remains a real hope that they will qualify for the next ‘Homeless World Cup’ in Rio de Janiero. ‘De Lierse Boys’ train Wednesdays from 16.30 to 18 uur in the sports hall of the KTA under the guidance of Nico Jansen.
(With thanks to Herman De Belder and Mon Rottiers)
