Transforming communities through the power of football is the ambitious aim of a new two-year Cics Cymru community programme devised by the Premier League, Welsh Government and FAW Trust.
The programme sets out to inspire a new generation across Wales with a range of opportunities and engaging activities. Cics Cymru will build upon the success of the Premier League Kicks social inclusion programme which has been running for over a decade.
The Welsh community programme aims to grow female football and to reach ethnic minorities, socially deprived communities and areas where sports participation from the younger generation is traditionally low.
Several Welsh football clubs including Caernarfon Town, The New Saints Foundation, Wrexham AFC’s Racecourse Foundation, Llandudno, Bala Town, Merthyr Town and Carmarthen Town will receive funding to provide fun football sessions, in a safe and comfortable environment, for 12-to-16-year-olds who aren’t currently engaged in the sport.
FAW Trust Chief Executive Neil Ward said:
“Cics Cymru is specifically focussed on areas of high need and those young people who do not usually take part in sport.”
“There will be a strong emphasis on female recruitment too as it’s important we continue to grow the women and girls game.”
“What we’ll see is an informal, relaxed style of delivering football sessions – we want to make sure people have fun and feel comfortable.”
Nick Perchard, Head of Community, Premier League said:
“We have drawn on learnings from the ten years over which the Premier League Kicks programme has run, and working in partnership with the Welsh Government and FAW Trust have tailored the new Cics Cymru community provision to target young people not currently involved in sport.”
“This new programme will provide safe spaces to play, improve accessibility to sport and will encourage young people to be involved in free, fun community activities.”
Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, said:
“As well as providing football sessions, the seven football clubs will be tasked with developing relationships with the police, Communities First and housing associations to maximise the project’s impact.”
“Cics Cymru is also receiving the support of the FAW and the Welsh Premier League.”
