Swansea City AFC Foundation’s Premier League programmes create pathway into local football teams for two young participants

Having not played football before, Premier League Kicks and Premier League Primary Stars introduced the sport to Phoebe and Catrin, who have now both gone on to join their local football teams.

Through Premier League Primary Stars, Swansea City AFC Foundation have been delivering a girls’ extracurricular football session after school at YGG Cwmnedd, which focuses on fun, confidence and developing football skills in a safe and supportive environment.

Catrin, 10, has been involved in the afterschool club sessions with the Swans Foundation since she was in Year Three.

“Over the sessions Catrin’s confidence has grown massively,” said Jack Giles, sports and education area coordinator at Swansea City Foundation.

“She’s improved her football skills, gets fully involved in the sessions and now encourages others and enjoys challenging herself.”

“I really enjoy the sessions with Jack,” added Catrin.

“We get to have loads of fun and I get to do something I really love. I’ve learned lots of football skills and how to keep control of the ball.”

During the sessions, Giles wears a companion microphone which links to Catrin’s hearing aid to ensure she gets the best experience from the sessions.

“When she was in Year Two we found out that she had a hearing condition,” said Llinos Gillett, Catrin’s mother and teaching assistant at YGG Cwmnedd.

“She’s deaf in both ears so she’s had a hearing aid since then and we can see she’s flourished from then, got a lot more confidence.”

In September, Catrin joined her local football team Ystradgynlais having experienced a positive introduction to football with the Swans Foundation.

“It’s a brilliant achievement to join the local football club and shows how these sessions can create a positive pathway in sport,” said Giles.

Premier League Kicks is also supporting young girls to get involved in football through a girls only session in Cefn Hengoed on a Monday evening. 

Phoebe had not played football before joining the Foundation’s Premier League Kicks sessions in September 2025, but has been a committed participant ever since.

“Phoebe makes sure she’s here every week,” said Courtney Butt, sports and education area coordinator at the Swans Foundation.

“It’s great to see her want to be here every Monday. She was shy when she first came to Premier League Kicks, not really knowing how to play football but just giving it a go for the first time.

“To watch her come through since September with the confidence, making new friends and just enjoying football in general has been wonderful to see.”

Phoebe did not know any other children at the session when she first joined but quickly made friends. Now, Phoebe has joined those friends at their local football club, Clydach FC. 

“These sessions on a Monday are just an hour but now she’s taken the step to join a local football team, she now plays football on other days of the week which will just benefit her,” added Butt.

“She comes here every Monday telling us how she’s done in her football match on the weekend and you can see the smile it brings to her face.”

Swansea City Foundation had the opportunity to select standout participants from across their community projects to become mascots for Swansea City’s FA Cup tie at the beginning of January.

For their commitment, enthusiasm and development through the Premier League Primary Stars and Premier League Kicks programmes, both Catrin and Phoebe were selected to enjoy the mascot experience at the Swansea.com Stadium.

“When we received the email she was so excited and then when we got there and she got to meet the players which was a big deal,” said Gillett.

“The fact she was just in the stadium itself was massive and of course we were delighted she scored a goal against Cyril the Swan at half-time!”

For Catrin the day was extra special as it was the first time she’d been to see a Swansea match.

“My favourite part was watching the game, it was my first ever Swansea game and I was so excited,” said Catrin.

Phoebe also couldn’t contain her excitement at meeting the players and getting to walk out onto the pitch.

“She managed to get signatures off all the players which she’s brought her book along here to show all the coaches and her friends,” said Butt.

“It’s an experience she’ll always remember and we hope it’ll inspire her to keep enjoying the game.”