£125,000 Investment to Expand Premier League Kicks Programme Supporting Young People Across South Wales

Funding has been awarded to Cardiff City FC and Swansea City Community Foundations to expand their targeted Premier League Kicks programmes to support young people facing increased risk of violence, exploitation, anti-social behaviour and exclusion from education across South Wales.

The £125,000 investment includes £50,000 from the Premier League Police Partnerships Fund alongside a £75,000 commitment from the South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, Emma Wools through the South Wales Violence Prevention and Reduction Unit, to support sessions designed to provide positive opportunities and early intervention, helping young people build confidence and aspirations for the future.

The project is being delivered from April 2026 to August 2027 through a range of accessible community, sports venues and pupil referral units, providing more than 200 targeted Premier League Kicks sessions for young people aged 8–25 across Cardiff, Swansea, Neath, the Vale of Glamorgan, Merthyr Tydfil, Bridgend and Rhondda Cynon Taff.

Sessions provide early support for young people facing barriers to mainstream education, including behavioural challenges and complex needs. Using the power of football, the programmes help reduce the risk of exploitation and disengagement, while supporting young people to build confidence, stability and more positive long-term pathways. Additionally, the Swansea programme provides a consistent staff member across both school and community sessions, enabling a consistency of message around positive behaviours and role modelling.

The urgency for this programme is evidenced by local and national data. The Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD) highlights communities across Cardiff, Swansea, Neath, Merthyr Tydfil, Bridgend and Rhondda Cynon Taf as among the most deprived in Wales, experiencing long-standing disadvantage, school exclusions, and increasing vulnerability to knife crime, exploitation and violence.

Through structured workshops, the Community Foundations offer mentorship and mental health support, including the established resource #NotTheOne intervention. In partnership with South Wales Police, these sessions address knife crime, serious violence and peer influence, helping young people explore risks, consequences and positive choices through discussion and scenario-based learning.

This work builds on more than 15 years of delivery through the Premier League Kicks programme, funded by the Premier League Foundation, which provides free football-based activities and targeted support for young people at risk of involvement in violence and antisocial behaviour in some of the most high-need areas of England and Wales.

Tom Williams, Head of Programmes at Swansea City AFC Foundation, said:

“We’re proud to be working in partnership with South Wales Police to support young people across our communities. This programme is focused on helping young people reach their full potential by providing mentoring, learning opportunities and free football sessions in a safe and supportive environment.

By offering early support, consistent guidance and positive role models, we can help young people make informed decisions and steer towards positive outcomes.

This work plays an important role in strengthening the link between school, home and community, ensuring young people are supported during key times outside of the school day and feel connected, valued and inspired.”