Rangel Kicks off successful session
1st October
The Community Trust were given a helping hand at one of their Premier League Kicks sessions by Swans defender Angel Rangel.
As the project's Player Ambassador, Rangel attended the event to join in with training and to present a funding cheque to The Hill Community Development Trust - a partner in the weekly sessions.
Kicks have been running sessions with The Hill Community Development Trust - a pilot project that engages with young people aged 9-16 in Townhill - every Tuesday since March. Their aim is to help them to develop better relationships and facilities with the local community and the impact has so far been extremely positive.
"Since these sessions have started, I have noticed a change in some of the participants' behaviour over the weeks and months that they have attended the sessions," said Rhodri Morgan, a Premier League Kicks coach who is involved with the sessions.
"The participants' footballing skills have improved significantly over the months that we have been there. We have a good working relationship with the South Wales Police and the local PCSOs in Townhill who have been attending the sessions. This has led to a friendlier and open relationship between the PSCOs and the local community."
Local PCSO Sian Lloyd, said: "This football initiative is a great opportunity for the young people of Townhill and Mayhill. It has provided an opportunity for them to receive top quality coaching from the Premier League Kicks project's qualified football coaches.
"As the Townhill neighbourhood Policing Team, we are delighted to see this initiative happening in our area as it is a great way of helping to tackle the problem of anti-social behaviour - it gives the young people of the area something to focus on."
The event also saw The Hill Community Development Trust awarded £1,032 from SwansAid. This grant has been used to allow them to offer a wide programme of sporting activities and repair their astroturf pitch.
After presenting the SwansAid cheque, Rangel joined Lee Trundle on the pitch to help with the training session, much to the enjoyment of the participants.
"It was great for Angel Rangel to come and support the Kicks project and the participants at this session as they are all Swansea City fans and love the club," Morgan added. "It gives the participants a hope that they can become a pro footballer like him."
Premier League Kicks run sessions at The Phoenix Centre every Tuesday on the astroturf pitch between 5-6pm. If you want to get involved with this, or any other session, get in contact with project co-ordinator Ian Owen on 075511 70556 or email him viaian@scfccommunitytrust.co.uk
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