Celebrating stories this Refugee Week

Refugee Week runs from 16th to 22nd June, and this years theme is “Community as a Superpower”

Oxford Phoenix FC the team supported by Asylum Welcome and Oxford United in the Community have a month full of fixtures and are anxiously awaiting to hear if their application to join Oxfordshire Senior League has been accepted. Below we celebrate the stories of three of their players who have all benefited from the community of Oxford Phoenix FC.

Jamal

Jamal joined us in 2021 after being forcibly displaced from Sudan. When he arrived, he was incredibly shy, but loved playing football and that helped him make friends and grow in confidence. In the last few years, Jamal really came out of his shell, captaining Oxford Phoenix in a number of friendlies and then joining a local football club – East Oxford FC. At that club, Jamal scored the winning goal on the last day of the season to keep East Oxford FC in the division and won Most Improved Player of the Season in his first year.

After receiving the benefits himself, Jamal now supports others by organising fixtures against other teams of young, displaced Sudanese men from neighbouring counties – namely a team from London, Birmingham, and Reading. They have travelled to other cities, as well as hosted them here in Oxford.

How has Oxford Phoenix helped you?

“It makes you feel great because I didn’t have friends or a football team to train with before. Having a team gives you support. I feel much happier because of this team. I have friends that come to support me play, as well as friends on the team.

How is your life better now?

Having a team means you don’t feel alone. People come from different countries and we are all friends with no worries. Even if you play 30 mins or 40 mins, you feel great!”

Steven

Steven joined our football club in 2021 and, like Jamal, has developed in confidence and sense of belonging within the community.  Steven started off as our goalkeeper, but decided he preferred playing outfield. He joined Kidlington FC last season and has come on leaps and bounds as a player a leader – he built connections between Oxford Phoenix FC and the East Timorese community, whom we will be having friendlies with over the summer – building social integration and support.

Steve recently won the prestigious Intermediate Cup with Kidlington Reserves. He’s completed his Introduction to Coaching Football course, with a view to becoming a coach in the future

What does Oxford Phoenix mean to you?

Oxford Phoenix means a lot to me – it helped me so much in so many ways. I would love to see more people helped like I was.

How did you feel before Oxford Phoenix?

It brought me back to when I was young, and playing football as a child. So lots of happy memories. Life is tougher now, but Oxford Phoenix training sessions made me happy. I wasn’t playing football at all, but when I joined Oxford Phoenix I met loads of new people. Youcef and Steve made me want to play football everyday. The training was fun so I loved coming back

How has it impacted my life positively?

It’s made me grow in confidence to meet people and feel comfortable playing football. It’s a happy environment to be part of – everything is positive and there’s great energy at Oxford Phoenix.

Merhawi

Merhawi joined Oxford Phoenix in 2022, and has improved substantially in terms of his wellbeing and his footballing ability. He currently studies at a local community college and is in part-time employment. His country of origin is Eritrea.

In 2024 he joined the Summertown Stars, and ended up as the second top scorer for the reserve side with six goals in 18 appearances.  He also won Most Improved Player at the end of season awards.

How did you feel before Oxford Phoenix?

Life was tough and I found it difficult to make friends.

How did you feel when you started playing?

Happier to play football every session. When I play football, I feel really happy. It reminds me of when I was young playing football in Eritrea.

What challenges did you have?

The coaches taught you how to look after yourself, and how to defend and not just attack.

How did you feel when we went to Wembley?

It was a special day for me. I’d never seen the stadium or anything like that in my life! It was a day I will always remember.

How has Oxford Phoenix helped you?

It gave me more confidence to speak to new people and meet them.

How did you find your time with Summertown?

I played with them all season, and they were so kind and friendly towards me. I loved playing as part of a team and people just saw me as a footballer.

What was your favourite moment?

Scoring the goal that kept us in the division in our last game of the season

Ryan Davies, Captain and Manager of Summertown Stars Reserves, added: “Merhawi is a credit to our club, he’s taken to the squad like a duck to water. Of course, initially there was that language barrier, which we expected. But he’s been able to express himself and break the ice with the ball at his feet. Within weeks, Merhawi has transformed from a shy lad to being at the heart of our team on and off the pitch. It’s great he’s had the opportunity to develop his game and integrate into our community via Oxford Phoenix.”