British Columbians head to Homeless World Cup

A group of British Columbians is headed to Paris to represent Canada at the Homeless World Cup of Soccer.

Virgil Goosehead is among the 13 players — eight women and five men from around B.C. — headed to the tournament.

He started playing soccer one year ago, and says it has changed his life.

"It's changed a lot," he said. "I've got my son now. I quit drinking and I quit doing hard drugs. I've straightened my life around. I've finished school, I've graduated. I'm happy about that."

Erin Backer was recovering from drug and alcohol addition when she saw a poster for the Vancouver Street Soccer League.

She joined up and hasn't stopped playing since.  

"Through that I started going to these workshops and then I got into a job training program and then I got a work experience then I got a job," she said.

"Now I have my own place and I'm working full time so it could have been something else, but it was soccer."

Backer said she is excited to represent Canada, and looking forward to meeting other people to share stories with.

The B.C. players will arrive in Toronto Wednesday to meet up with some players from Ontario before heading off to Paris for the big game, which starts on Sunday.