Community Corner

Committee member George Parnavelas, who has worked tirelessly on the game against Centrepoint next week, wrote in last weeks programme

Here is what he had to say in his 'Community Column'

I would like offer some updates regarding our community initiatives and an exciting upcoming event.
First of all, we have been inviting two local schools to each Saturday home league fixture this season. Today we are welcoming pupils, parents and staff from Michael Faraday and Robert Browning primary schools in Southwark. Thanks go to Josh at London PE & School Sport Network for supporting the initiative. If you would like to nominate a school to receive complimentary tickets, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
We are also joined by special guests from The Streatham Drop-In Centre, a local charity. The centre, based at the top of Mitcham Lane, aims to provide a safe, welcoming and supportive environment for refugees and asylum seekers living in Lambeth and surrounding areas, providing them with information, advice as well as health and wellbeing services.
Today, up to 50 refugees and asylum seekers, that are currently part of the Streatham Drop-In community, will be cheering Dulwich Hamlet on at the ground. For most of them, it will be their first experience of a football match in the UK.
Streatham Drop-In is very much centred within its South London community, and therefore we are grateful to Dulwich Hamlet for this partnership, which is a wonderful way of creating closer community ties.
If you’d like to learn more about Streatham Drop-In, become a volunteer or make a donation, please visit www.streathamdropin.org.uk (Emily Byrne, trustee). Thank you to Brian McCarthy for facilitating the visit and to the Supporter’s Trust who have provided each child with a Dulwich Hamlet scarf.
Finally, we would like to announce full details of our upcoming annual awareness match:
Centrepoint’s Homeless World Cup stars line up alongside celebrities and former pros against Dulwich Hamlet FC
A star-studded XI representing the youth homelessness charity Centrepoint will take on Dulwich Hamlet Football Club in a fundraising match on 1 March.
The match is being organised by The Street Football Association (SFA) which, as part of Centrepoint, uses street football to positively transform the lives of homeless and socially excluded adults.
Working with professional football clubs, the SFA give men and women the inspirational opportunity to represent their country or a top team.
For the game, SFA players who have represented England in The Homeless World Cup will join celebrities and former professionals on a unique team sheet to take on the Isthmian League Premier Division team.
The Centrepoint squad includes:
Rappers Wretch 32 and Example, comedians Rob Beckett and Tom Rosenthal, Nottingham Forest cult hero Jason Lee, TalkSPORT’s Perry Groves and some exciting secret names.
Former SFA player Billy, who played for Street Football Team England in Mexico in 2012 said: ‘The Homeless World Cup was the best experience of my life.
‘It opened my eyes to the world. It’s a personal thing and it’s about your mentality – The Street Football Association gives you the ability to have a better outlook.
‘It made me realise that things can always get better. I wouldn’t miss this fundraising match for the world.’
Building their confidence both on and off the pitch, the programme’s emphasis is on personal development. 97 per cent of players reported an increase in confidence and self-esteem, with the same percentage seeing themselves in a more positive way after taking part.
Head of Centrepoint Sport and Chair of The Street Football Association Gareth Parker said: ‘We encourage the public and the Dulwich Hamlet community to come down to the match to support both their team and socially excluded adults changing their lives through sport.
‘We’re hugely grateful to the club for hosting the fundraiser, they’ve been incredibly supportive and we hope to continue working together in future.
‘As well as our own players, whom we’re massively proud of, there are some true legends turning out for us and some familiar faces that might surprise the crowd with their ability.’
The game takes place on Wednesday 1 March.
Match details
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Address: Champion Hill Stadium, Edgar Kail Way, London SE22 8BD
Tickets are available on the door.
Adults: £5
Concessions: £2
All proceeds taken at the game will go directly to Centrepoint to support homeless young people.
We are delighted to welcome Centrepoint to Champion Hill and strongly support the Street Football Association’s unique initiative. The match will provide awareness and recognition for their participants individual journeys. With a blend of former SFA players, professionals and celebrities lining up, it promises to be a competitive and entertaining game!