Swansea City AFC Foundation announce Welsh Language Premier League Kicks Sessions

Swansea City AFC Foundation is pleased to announce the introduction of Welsh Language Premier League Kicks sessions in partnership with Menter Iaith Abertawe at Ysgol Gwyr in Gowerton.

The Premier League Kicks initiative is a national programme that uses the power of football and sport to regularly engage children and young people of all backgrounds and abilities in football, sport and personal development – providing a trusted, positive influence in high-need areas.

The project delivers free weekly sessions, giving young people aged eight to 16 across South West Wales the opportunities to play in football activities, whilst 16 to 18-year-old's in further education have the opportunity to become volunteer officials or coaches.

Our Welsh language sessions will look to encourage young people to communicate in Welsh through football, with the sessions only being accessible to Welsh Language feeder schools.

Sessions will begin on March 28, and you can now sign-up HERE.

“We're really excited to be able to launch this new scheme in partnership with the Swansea City AFC Foundation and Ysgol Gyfun Gŵyr," said Tomos Jones of Menter Iaith Abertawe.

“Our work is to promote the use and enjoyment of the Welsh language in the Swansea area, and it's brilliant to see the football club being so supportive of the language.

“For the sixth formers who have volunteered for this scheme, there will be the opportunity use their Welsh in a sporting context as they develop their coaching skills and mentor the younger pupils.

“Enabling them to engage with the language in this way is really important, and the possibility of future paid Welsh language work as the scheme develops is something which is of vital importance to young people in the Swansea area.

“It will also provide the younger pupils the opportunity to socialise on the football pitch through the medium of Welsh. We can't wait to get started.”

“As a Foundation we are proud to be launching our first PL Kicks session in the Welsh language in partnership with Menter Iaith Abertawe and Ysgol Gyfun Gŵyr," added Graham Smith, equality, diversity and inclusion lead at Swansea City AFC Foundation.

"As an organisation we are committed to equality and inclusion and we are committed to expanding the number of activities we offer through the medium of Welsh.

“Our Premier League Kicks project has a long history of supporting young people to develop their coaching skills and providing valuable volunteering opportunities, and I’m delighted that this session has been developed with that specifically in mind.

"We’re looking forward to seeing the Gwyr sixth formers develop their coaching skills and becoming role models for Welsh speaking children and young people in their local community.”

Swansea City chief executive added: “This is a great initiative between the Swansea City AFC Foundation and Menter Iaith Abertware.

“Welsh language is something we as a club feel very passionate about and have plans to develop further, and it will be exciting to see young players communicating through the medium of Welsh during these sessions.”