By Julia Lewis
At the Canadian Street Soccer Association (CSSA), the goal has never been just to win games.
It’s about people first — dignity, respect, and the belief that sport can change lives.
That spirit was on full display at the 2025 Homeless World Cup in Oslo, where three members of Team Canada were recognized with one of the tournament’s most meaningful honours: the Whistle of Hope Award.
For Emma Bellante, May Nakintu, and Ashley Fraser, the recognition wasn’t about goals scored or matches won. It was about the moments in between — the acts of kindness, leadership, fairness, and courage that define what the Homeless World Cup is truly about.
The awards are given to players who demonstrate exceptional sportsmanship and humanity on and off the pitch, continuing the legacy of longtime Homeless World Cup referee Hary Milas, who believed football should always be a force for dignity and hope.
Hary Milas, Whistle of Hope Legacy
For Canada, the moment carried even deeper meaning.
The 2025 tournament marked Canada’s return to the Homeless World Cup after nearly a decade, making these recognitions a powerful reminder of what the program represents — not just competition, but connection, resilience, and community.
And for the CSSA, it reaffirmed a core belief:
Character comes first. Winning comes second.
Emma Bellante
Emma Bellante was recognised for consistently demonstrating fair play and a deep awareness of the needs of others throughout the tournament.
Whether supporting her own teammates or offering encouragement to players from other nations, Emma embodied the spirit of respect and empathy that the Homeless World Cup celebrates. Her actions showed that leadership in sport isn’t only about performance — it’s about how you show up for others.
“Being awarded Hary’s Whistle of Hope was such a cathartic and encouraging experience. I often have a lot of difficulty recognizing anything positive within myself, even when it’s recognized by others. But this wonderful gesture of recognition is so very special, as it’s so beyond just a compliment on my soccer abilities. It’s a recognition of my character, and how I can affect other people. Grateful is an understatement.”
Whistle of Hope Presentation
May Nakintu
May Nakintu received the Whistle of Hope Award for her exceptional resilience and kindness.
Throughout the tournament, May was recognized for her respectful approach to the game and for helping create meaningful connections between teams from different countries. Her presence on the pitch reflected one of the tournament’s most powerful truths: that football can build bridges between people who might otherwise never meet.
“I’m honoured and grateful to have received the whistle of hope from Homeless World Cup and the referee family. It’s a reflection of my journey and reminds me that there’s still a way forward. To be recognized for values like fair play, kindness, leadership, respect means so much to me. I’m also incredibly thankful for the continuous support from Canadian Street Soccer Association.”
May Nakintu + Emma “Zero” Bellante Receiving Their Whistles
Ashley Fraser
Ashley Fraser, Team Canada’s Head Coach, was honoured for embodying unity and compassion throughout the competition.
Ashley spent time encouraging players from multiple nations and offering support to anyone who needed it — whether during matches or away from the field. Her leadership demonstrated how powerful sport can be when it is rooted in care, community, and shared humanity.
“Seeing Team Canada receive three whistles of hope in our first year back to the HWC is so special and such a testament to what we value at Canadian Street Soccer Association and the connections we form through soccer. As a coach receiving this whistle, I feel a bit at loss for words. I feel so privileged and thankful to be part of something so special and draw my inspiration from the stories of people involved, their hope and their resilience. Hope is such a powerful thing, and I do not take it lightly to be recognized by this whistle.”
Ashley Fraser, Team Canada’s Head Coach – HWC Oslo 2025
A Moment Bigger Than the Game
The Whistle of Hope Awards recognise something that can’t be measured on a scoreboard.
They celebrate the quiet moments — the acts of fairness, encouragement, and courage — that reveal the true spirit of the Homeless World Cup.
For the Canadian Street Soccer Association, seeing three Canadians recognised in this way during the country’s first tournament back in nearly ten years is a powerful reflection of what the program is all about.
“This recognition is a powerful reflection of what we stand for at the Canadian Street Soccer Association — that character, dignity, and compassion matter more than the scoreboard,” said Hossam Khedr, CSSA CEO.
At its best, football does more than bring people together to compete.
It helps people reconnect with confidence, community, and opportunity.
And sometimes, the most important victories happen far beyond the final whistle.