The Azores will be represented at the National Street Football Championship 2012 with a team composed of eight players who participated in the "Street Football 2012" tournament, an initiative promoted by the Regional Secretariat for Labour and Social Solidarity, through the Azores Institute for Social Development, on May 24 and 25. The national championship will be held in Beja on July 19-22.
The following youngsters were selected for the Azorean team: Cláudio Rodrigues, Renascer team of the "Santa Casa da Misericórdia" of Ponta Delgada; Fábio Dias, Arrisca Association; Paulo Gouveia, Porto Seguro Youth Development and Inclusion Centre (CDIJ) of "Santa Casa da Misericórdia" of Ribeira Grande; Nelson Cabral, Perkursos CDJI of Kairós; Hélder Medeiros, Novos Rumos CDIJ of Novos Rumos Association; Frederico Viveiros, Child Support Institute; Gabriel Medeiros Resendes, Pedra Segura CDIJ of "Santa Casa da Misericórdia" of Vila Franca do Campo; and Rafael Botelho, "Casa do Povo" of Vila Franca do Campo.
Before going to Beja, the young football players will participate in a football training which will include physical and social activities (community dynamics and actions) aimed at the promotion of behavioural changes. The Azorean team will travel to Mainland Portugal on July 19.
After the national championship, promoted by the CAIS Association, the best players will be selected to represent Portugal at the Homeless World Cup 2012 to take place in Mexico City in October.
Street Football is a competition held at a regional, national and international level with the primary goals of combating social fragility, poverty and exclusion.
Being targeted at youngsters over 16 who are at risk of social exclusion, this initiative also aims to returning to each participant's its self-esteem and the sense of belonging to a group by breaking social boundaries and empowering individuals with a greater sense of responsibility and shared goals.