Narratives of trauma and resilience from Street Soccer players

Abstract

Trauma exposure is a global public health concern, with lifelong psychological, social, behavioural, and physical health detriments. There is a growing need for trauma-informed interventions, with Sport for Development (SfD) programmes identified as one set of promising interventions. This narrative inquiry explores the lives of soccer players taking part in two SfD programmes (e.g., Street Soccer Scotland, Street Soccer USA) that serve populations with high rates of trauma exposure (e.g., homeless, immigrant, refugee). Through interviews with players and significant others, it became clear that the Street Soccer programmes were using the popularity and appeal of the sport to achieve broader goals. Beyond this, they have embraced the core tenets of trauma-informed programming, cultivating growth and resilience amidst an ecological framework with interrelated systems.