HOMELESS people in Oxford will get the chance next week to win a place in the England football squads for the 2011 Homeless World Cup.

The international contest will be held in the French capital, Paris, in August.

The trials will take place at Oxford University’s sports complex, off Iffley Road, on Monday.

Jon Regler, founder and chairman of Oxford football team Streets Revolution, which helps homeless and marginalised people, said: “This is a really important achievement for Oxford.

“In the past, the trials have all been at places with big football teams, like Manchester or London.

“But it’s obviously difficult for homeless people to travel, so this year it’s being opened up to more than 40 cities.

“The aim is to get more people involved.”

The Homeless World Cup was set up in 2003 to help people on the streets turn their lives around through sport.

It has since triggered football programmes in 70 nations and involved more than 50,000 people over eight years.

Mr Regler said: “This is a unique opportunity for people across the country to be given a chance to change their lives.

“The whole concept is just that if you love football, come along and get engaged and you could represent your country.”

He added: “It’s on your doorstep, so you have no excuse.”

The trials are open to men and women over 16 who have been homeless at some point since August 1 last year and who have not represented England at the Homeless World Cup previously.

The legal definition of homelessness is set out in the 1996 Housing Act, which says a person is homeless if there is no accommodation they are entitled to occupy or they have accommodation but cannot continue using it.

Among the players hoping to win the chance to go to France is 19-year-old Rob Day.

Mr Day has been homeless in Oxford for the past two years, spending time on the streets and in various hostels, but said playing football with Streets Revolution had made a big difference to his life.

He said: “For me, football is an outlet for my anger, sadness and emotions.

“It brings together people who otherwise might be out smoking who knows what.

“I’m very excited. To have a chance to represent my country is an honour I could only have dreamed of, and I’m certainly hopeful of a spot on the team.”

Players picked at the Oxford trials will go forward to the national squad selection day at Manchester United’s training ground next month.

The trials on Monday, take place from 11am to 2pm.

To register, call Mr Regler on 07713 333359, email him at streetsrevolution@gmx.com or turn up on the day.

For more details of the international tournament, see homelessworldcup.org and for information about Streets Revolution, see thestreetsrevolutionblog.wordpress.com