A Kellogg’s Football Camps round up from Swansea City AFC Foundation

Swansea City AFC Foundation once again partnered with Kellogg’s and the English Football League (EFL) to provide free Kellogg's Football Camps to young people across south-west Wales.

The nationwide scheme provides parents and guardians with the opportunity to claim a free space at a Kellogg’s Football Camp, giving more children the chance to enjoy a football-filled summer.

The Foundation delivered 35 Kellogg’s Football Camps throughout the summer holidays which saw over 1,300 attendances recorded.

One of the participants to benefit from the Kellogg’s Football Camps was Kian Spiller, 10, who has been an avid participant on Swansea City Foundation’s football camps for a number of years now.

“Kian has been a great participant throughout the summer and previous Kellogg’s Football Camps,” said sports and education area coordinator at Swansea City Foundation, Jack Giles.

“He’s really enthusiastic to learn new skills, he’s developed his confidence a lot in camp, meeting new friends.

“All the coaches know Kian as he’s a regular participant. They all think really highly of him and love the opportunity to coach him.

“It’s great that the Swans Foundation have teamed up with Kellogg’s and the EFL to give children the opportunity of free football camps in the summer holidays and give opportunities to those who maybe can’t access paid football sessions.”

James Spiller, Kian’s father, is grateful for the impact the Kellogg’s Football Camps have had on Kian’s love for football.

“Loves is an understatement, he’s absolutely obsessed with football,” added Spiller.

“He tries to play every opportunity he gets so if he can come to one of these camps, he’s the first to sign up.

“We’ve been doing the camps for a couple of years now, we don’t just use this one in Llandarcy, we try to use some different ones as well around the Swansea area.

“With the school holidays, the Kellogg’s codes are amazing. To use one of those to help us bring him to one of these camps is helping with his enjoyment of football, his confidence. There’s no end to the benefits.”

Kian himself has noticed the development of his skills both on and off the pitch from what he has learned at Kellogg’s Football Camps.

“I’ve learned different football skills, meeting new people and how to stay positive,” said Kian.

“I like that you get to meet new people, play fun activities in the morning and matches in the afternoon. I think that really helps my ability to play football.

“My favourite part is definitely the element of the drills where you get to learn new skills and practice the ones we’ve been taught before.”

Throughout the summer, the Foundation also hosted girls only and pan-disability Kellogg’s Football Camps to offer a supportive provision to more young people in the community.

Inclusion manager at Swansea City Foundation, Lloyd Thomas, has overseen the positive impact which these Kellogg’s Football Camps have had on participants and parents and guardians.

“These camps open doors for participants here to enjoy football as a sport, make new friends and socialise,” said Thomas.

“But it’s also reassuring for the parents and guardians to know when they come along the participants will recognise other familiar faces from their local school or inclusive football teams.

“Having this on as an extra bonus to our provision as a Foundation is crucial to allow that level playing field for everyone in our community.”

Joseph Bown is one of the participants who attended the Foundation’s pan-disability Kellogg’s Football Camps and has developed his leadership skills as one of the older participants in the group.

“Joe has come in this morning very happy and smiley,” added Thomas.

“He’s got fantastic manners, very respectful young man, and he’s very engaging with the other participants.

“He came along to the first pan-disability camp of the summer as well so he knows the set up of the day, he’s providing advice and support to the other participants in his group.

“Having these sessions as free sessions is a massive benefit. A lot of them wouldn’t be able to come without that incentive. Not only does it allow us to broaden our horizons inviting more people to come to our camps but targeting specific areas and deprived areas, we want to be able to provide the same opportunities for everyone.”

A key aspect to the pan-disability Kellogg’s Football Camps is to give everyone the opportunity to enjoy football and that is something Bown is pleased to be a part of.

“It’s really important because everyone gets to enjoy football,” said Bown.

“No one is ever not included with playing football!

“I feel really happy because I’m with all my friends and playing football.”