Refugees in Belfast find friendship, freedom and confidence through football

Now a university student in Manchester, Mary was just 18 when she and her younger brother arrived in Belfast from South Sudan in June 2021, seeking safety. As her brother was under 18, he was immediately taken into care, and Mary was placed in a hotel. Her first weeks in the city were lonely and filled with worry for her brother – it was only some weeks later that she discovered he was safe and being looked after.

“That first day I stepped foot in Belfast, it was weird, everything was weird,” Mary recalls. “The weather was cold, even though it was summer. The culture, the language, everything was different for me. I was lonely.

"But everything began to change when she was told about a local football programme for refugees run by Street NI through its Street Soccer initiative.

“I was very happy, because I was stressed and I didn’t know anyone… then I joined football, Street Soccer, and everyone was amazing. The people, the coaches, everyone was friendly.”

Street Soccer is run by Street NI, an organisation co-founded by Justin McMinn to support disadvantaged groups in Belfast. As the organization grew, it expanded to include refugees in its programmes. Today, Street NI offers not only football sessions but also language classes, food and clothing, gym facilities, and volunteering opportunities.

Justin says that one of the best parts of his work is seeing how football brings people together and helps them overcome the challenges of life in a new country.

“What's great about Street Soccer, and the power of football [is how it can] bring communities together. We were working with people from Protestant and Catholic communities, building bridges, tackling sectarianism. Now, over the last few years, we’ve started including refugees, and we're able to break down barriers, tackle racism, and unite communities.”

“Football is a common language,” adds Justin, “even if you don’t know the English language, you can still understand each other while playing in the field.”

Many Street Soccer participants go on to volunteer. Louise, who first joined while experiencing homelessness, now volunteers nearly every day.

“I do a bit of everything,” she says, “it’s great for my mental health. I feel really productive coming in here.”

Louise and Mary travelled to Dundee, Scotland, together in 2022 to play in the Homeless World Cup. Reflecting on that trip, Louise remembers how much Mary’s English improved after joining Street Soccer – so much so that she went on to help newly arrived refugees adjust and feel welcome. Mary became an invaluable member of the team, on and off the pitch.

“The way I look at it, we’re all one”, says Louise. “And when you come to Street Soccer, you’re not judged; everyone is there to support you.”

The Irish Football Association, which also supported Mary through her time in Belfast have invited her back to speak at their conference as they believe she is a strong advocate for refugee inclusion in sport. The Irish FA runs recreational centres, where weekly football sessions and longer-term integration support are combined. This includes employment programmes, helping refugees gain coaching qualifications, and work experience.

“This helps massively in integrating refugees into their host communities, as well as helping them to gain employment through building their CV,” explains Andy Hardy, the Irish FA’s Community Engagement Officer.