Source: FOOTYMAD
Dawson Back In The Game
Ally Dawson is helping the homeless Street Soccer Scotland, the social enterprise that selects and manages the Scotland ‘Homeless World Cup’ team, has announced the appointment of former Rangers captain and Scotland international Ally Dawson as the new manager of Scotland’s ‘Homeless World Cup’ team for the 2011 tournament in Paris. The appointment was announced at the Glasgow and west of Scotland trials for Scotland’s ‘Homeless World Cup’ team at the Powerleague five-a-side complex at Townhead in Glasgow where football hopefuls, from homeless and socially disadvantaged backgrounds, gathered to embark on a dream experience to play for Scotland at Paris 2011 between 21st and 28th August. Powerleague is one of Street Soccer Scotland’s community partners. Ally Dawson said: "Being the manager of any team that represents your country is a great privilege and this one is no different. Everyone knows that each player who is involved with the Street Soccer Scotland programme is experiencing some challenges in their lives but when it comes to wearing the blue of Scotland, they all show wonderful passion and determination to succeed. The team won the tournament in Denmark in 2007 so we want to emulate that success in France." David Duke, chief executive of Street Soccer Scotland said: "Ally was known as a committed player throughout his career and that commitment will be of great value to all the players in Scotland’s ‘Homeless World Cup’ team. He is also a great motivator and has fantastic experience which we hope will be of great benefit when we compete in Paris at the end of August." Ally Dawson has been working with Street Soccer Scotland since January 2011 helping develop its football events and training programmes which are delivered by various community organisations across Scotland throughout the year and mentoring David Duke as a football coach. Street Soccer Scotland provides a range of grassroots ‘street soccer’ sessions and events at local and national levels, focusing on engaging, coaching and supporting participants. Through its Street Soccer Academy it provides personal development programmes which are delivered in partnerships with relevant agencies. Trials for the squad are also being held in Dundee and Edinburgh. David Duke was awarded the Degree of Doctor of the University from Edinburgh’s Queen Margaret University at a ceremony on the 7th of July 2010 for his work tackling homelessness and social exclusion. Scotland’s ‘Homeless World Cup’ teams have enjoyed major success at past tournaments, including 2007 when they lifted the ‘Homeless World Cup’ in Denmark.
