Largs was the home for the 2023 Street Soccer Nations Cup as Barrfields Park was transformed for the big weekend.

The event gave people who have been living homeless the opportunity to represent their countries in an international football event which has had a positive impact on people's lives.

A whole new chapter starts for more than 70 female players from across Europe who took part in the big event.

Players, staff and volunteers spoke of the powerful community, backing each another at every opportunity this past weekend.

Largs and Millport Weekly News:

All eight teams played with immense spirit during a significant weekend for the women’s game worldwide.

The fantastic facility at Largs Thistle Football Club played host to two days of on-pitch action and some magic moments outside of it, too.

With trophy success for Romania and also for Scotland, the party atmosphere was never far away. There were highlights from Team Ireland, incredible spirit from Team England, as well as terrific showings from Sweden and Northern Ireland.

Event partners sportscotland hosted the nations at Inverclyde Sports Centre.

Largs and Millport Weekly News:

Competitors taking part included England, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Romania and Sweden, joining Scotland to compete for the 2023 Street Soccer Nations Cup.

To kick-off the tournament a community fun day including walking football, children's activities, and local community groups came together on the Friday, with an opening parade from Largs seafront to Barrfields providing a carnival of colour to kick off proceedings on Saturday morning.

The founder and CEO of Street Soccer David Duke spoke to the News about the importance of the event.

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He said: "It was an amazing event held at a fantastic venue at Largs Thistle; the teams have all come through different challenges in life but football provides hope and belonging and now they have got the opportunity to represent their country, and they have shown real pride, and it has been great to get the support of Largs Thistle, North Ayrshire Council and Sportscotland.

"I played at the homeless world cup almost 20 years ago and it came at a time when I was really struggling, I was in a homeless hostel, and it gave me team structure, hope and a purpose.

"Well-known radio DJ George Bowie provided the annoucements and commentary on the day.

"Here we are now at Largs, 20 years on, and we are doing out utmost through Street Soccer to change people's lives everyday."

Local councillor Todd Ferguson also attended the event, and said: "It was an absolutely fantastic event and well run by Largs Thistle.

Largs and Millport Weekly News: Ryan Scott from Largs Thistle Community Club with Todd FergusonRyan Scott from Largs Thistle Community Club with Todd Ferguson (Image: Cllr Todd Ferguson)

"One of the disadvantaged young people I had in my employability programme played at the Street Soccer event in 2014 and I took them up to the event in Glasgow, and met David Duke.

"This is a wonderful event which helps bring people together and share experiences of some of the most vulnerable people in society and hopefully gives them a boost and a structure to their lives going forward.

"It is also good to see Largs Thistle raising its profile as a community hub with helping to organise the family fun day and hosting the weekend event which was such a success, and hopefully we can see more of this kind of thing in future, and I will gladly give this my full support."

"I have been involved in the past with helping at the Homeless World Cup which involves disadvantaged youths, and met David Duke in the past, and this is a wonderful event which helps bring people together and share experiences of some of the most vulnerable people in society and hopefully gives them a boost and a structure to their lives going forward.

"It is also good to see Largs Thistle raising its profile as a community hub with helping to organise the family fun day and hosting the weekend event which was such a success, and hopefully we can see more of this kind of thing in future, and I will gladly give this my full support."

A spokesperson for Street Soccer Scotland said: "A big thanks to our event partners at sportscotland, who’s fantastic facility in Inverclyde allowed our players to feel safe and well-rested across the weekend.

"Thanks again to Largs Thistle for their hospitality, as well as a massive shout out to our sponsors Burness Paull Foundation and The Malcolm Group for their extended support for Team Scotland."