Two residents of the city's Ty Tresillian homeless hostel have been selected to represent Wales at the Homeless World Cup in Mexico later this year.

Kathryn Lewis and Tianna Tenetta who play for the hostel's football team have been selected for the first team and as a reserve respectively, following the team's success in the Street Football Wales league.

Cardiff Council Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, Cllr Lynda Thorne said: "This is an outstanding achievement for the individuals as well as being a great success for the football team, a testament to the hard word and dedication invested by our staff.

"I would like to commend founder of the football team and hostel officer Keith Hopkins for hiscreativity, commitment and drive during this project which demonstrates the importance that diversionaryactivities have on service users. Opportunities like these help toboost skills and knowledge, address isolation and reduce boredom. They have apositive impact on an individual'swell-being, confidence and self-worth with the aim that they will go on to live independently.

"Kathryn and Tianna should feel extremely proud and I wish them all the best for the tournament and their future."

Founder of the Ty Tresillian football team, Hostel Officer Keith Hopkinsestablished the team in with the idea to run a football tournament between Cardiff's Frontline Hostels. Six hostels were represented in this cup and resulted in Ty Tresillian being invited to join the Street Football league.

Keith said: "I set up the football team in addition to the many activities we have on offer which give residents the opportunity to engage with others, improving their skills and confidence.  Both Kathryn and Tianna have had to overcome hurdles within their lives including periods of homelessness, but now that they are engaging with support and opportunities in order to rebuild their lives.

"I'm thrilled with thesuccess of the team and I hope this will motivate other service users to participate so that they can enjoy results and positively benefit their own future."

The Homeless World Cup is an annual football tournament organised by the Homeless World Cup Foundation, a social organisation which advocates the end of homelessness through the sport of association football.

The 16th edition of the Homeless World Cup takes place in Mexico City's iconic Zocalo, from November 13^th- 18^th2018.