Liverpool communities benefit from an international football tournament (…and it’s not the Euros!)

WIOC was founded in 2021 and is a volunteer-led international tournament open to those in the Merseyside region with ethnic links to different nations around the world - from Albania to Zimbabwe.

Dr Lorraine Bedwell, who lectures in Sport Business and is a recognised expert in cultural change in sport, is conducting extensive research into the social and cultural impact of the WIOC initiative which celebrates Liverpool’s multi-cultural diversity and aims to help better integrate the city’s communities. The tournament gives a unique platform to multi-ethnic communities and individuals from across the Liverpool City Region to proudly showcase their heritage, culture, and diversity.

The opening three weeks of this year’s tournament have already seen great matches with hundreds of local spectators turning up to see players representing teams from 16 nations across 5 continents who each qualified for the finals this year - Albania, Bangladesh, Brazil, Congo, England, Guinea-Bissau, Ireland, Jamaica, Libya, Namibia, Nigeria, Somali Team, West Indies, Yemen, Zimbabwe, plus a Rest of the World (ROTW) team.

Dr Bedwell is using WIOC as a case study to examine the role of the tournament in promoting sporting participation at grassroots level, its impact on all participants, and the wider societal outcomes from WIOC. This includes extensive consultation with WIOC and its key stakeholders, including spectators, volunteers, and participants. It will contribute towards addressing gaps in the UK Government Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport’s knowledge of the impact of grassroots-based events such as WIOC.

Dr Bedwell said: “WIOC provides a great example of the power of grassroots sport, and the purpose of this study is to enhance understanding of the impact and value that events of this size have on the communities that they serve.

“While these tournaments are highly valued by their participants, we do not know enough about their specific impact on community pride and sporting participation in under-represented groups, and the extent to which people learn from different cultures.

“Using WIOC as a case study and engaging with all the groups of people who it benefits throughout the month of the tournament will provide valuable insights into these gaps in knowledge.”

Imad Ali, founder and co-creator of WIOC, added: “It gives me immense pride to see how many diverse and proud communities from across the Liverpool City Region come together through our annual tournament to not only embrace their sporting passions, but also showcase their own cultural diversity, unique identities and positive community spirit WIOC attracts. It is both thrilling and humbling to all of those involved in organising WIOC events and activities each year.”

Group stage matches began on 3 June and conclude on 30 June. Knockout ties will be staged next week, starting with the quarter-finals on Monday (24 June) and Tuesday (25 June). The semi-finals will follow on Thursday (27 June), followed by the final on Sunday (30 June).

All matches are 11-a-side on half-sized pitches and being played at Leisure United Jericho Lane in South Liverpool. They are all kicking-off at 7:00pm and 8:30pm, apart from the final which starts at 2:00pm.