Media Release: Community regeneration conference to build on Scotland’s football success

HOT on the heels of Scotland’s victory at the Copenhagen 2007 Homeless World Cup, a conference is to bring together the Scottish football industry and social inclusion enterprises to pioneer improved ways of working together for football for social change in Scotland.

The SURF conference takes place on Tuesday August 14th from 9.30 to 4.15 at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, with speakers including Lex Gold, chief executive of the SPL; Mel Young, founder and president, Homeless World Cup; players from the winning Scottish Homeless World Cup squad, and George Craig, managing director of Falkirk FC, the SPL Community Club of the year for 2006/7.

The discussions will be chaired by the well-respected football pundit, Pat Nevin.

Mel Young, founder and president Homeless World Cup, will speak about football’s ability to change lives as demonstrated by the international football tournament that has grown to include 48 nations: “Scotland is pioneering in using football as a trigger to empower people who are currently homeless, or excluded, to change their lives.

“After Scotland’s victory at the Copenhagen 2007 Homeless World Cup, the time to innovate and build football for social inclusion in Scotland is now. The time is now for the football industry and community to unite and the SURF conference is a great place to continue this conversation leading to action.”

SURF is an independent network of regeneration practitioners and policy makers from across Scotland. It organises events and promotes debate to help its members improve and co ordinate their work in regenerating Scotland’s communities.

The Scottish national Homeless World Cup team, organised by The Big Issue Scotland, were victorious at the fifth Homeless World Cup beating Poland by 9 goals to 3 in a final of superb footballing skill, fair play, glorious sunshine in the attendance of HRH Crown Prince of Denmark.

-ENDS-

For further information about the Homeless World Cup or to speak to Mel Young please contact:

Kat Byles, Homeless World Cup Mobile: +44 (0)7901 701 33 kat@homelessworldcup.org

For information regarding the SURF conference please contact

Andy Milne andymilne@scotregen.co.uk Or on 0141 585 6848 or 07793 450536
www.scotregen.co.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS

About the Homeless World Cup

The Homeless World Cup is an annual, international football tournament, uniting teams of people who are homeless and excluded from around the world to change their lives for the better. It also supports and inspires grass roots football projects around the world working with homeless and excluded people throughout the year. 48 nations, 500 players took a once in a lifetime opportunity to represent their country for true grit, spirit and glory at the fifth Homeless World Cup in Copenhagen from 29 July – 4 August 2007.

MEDIA RELEASE issued by SURF. You too can post your media releases on allmediascotland; for more information, email here.

Contact: Andy Milne
Phone: 0141 585 6848
Email: andymilne@scotregen.co.uk
Website: http://www.scotregen.co.uk