New play tells the story of women footballers bidding to win Homeless World Cup

A play focussing on the stories of the Street Soccer Scotland women’s team at the Homeless World Cup will debut at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

The production called “Same Team” was developed alongside five women from the actual team that took part in the tournament.

Director Bryony Shanahan said: “It’s a back and forth between real and difficult issues that they are facing and experiencing in their personal lives.

“But at the same time it’s about getting together as a team and getting to know each other.”

The play was heavily inspired by the real life experiences of women from the team, with the women involved in writing workshops to shape the script.

Hannah Jarrett-Scott said: “It is fictional but it’s from a place of experience and I guess that’s what gives it its heart – it gives us licence to have fun with it as well.

“Obviously, a lot of women who are part of the rhyme workshops have been to the Homeless World Cup and have had that experience, so we take a lot of pride in carrying that experience with us.”

Street Soccer, which uses football to tackle homelessness, addiction and social challenges , says it hopes the play encourages people to talk about some of the issues it raises, as well as seeing the real people behind the stories.

The play is on at the Traverse Theatre throughout the festival.