Merthyr Tydfil players are making big strides in the sport of street football, with several members selected for the county borough side, and the team itself winning two championships in the past 12 months.
Chaplin’s hostel residents Lloyd Jones and Thomas Jones, and Adam Davies – who was once sofa surfing but is now living in Merthyr Tydfil with his partner – were all selected to take part in the Four Nations Challenge Cup in Edinburgh, and the club has won two cup competitions, the Swansea Memorial Cup and the Street Football Wales Cardiff 2022 Cup.
Two teams from Merthyr Tydfil made it to the final of the Cardiff competition, and trophies were also collected for Player of the Tournament and Goalkeeper of the Tournament.
The Street Football team trains every Friday at the Gôl 5-a-side pitch next to the Leisure Centre at Rhydycar and is made up of long-term unemployed and homeless people and those with mental health issues or addiction problems.
The project, which operates under the banner of Street Football Wales, offers opportunities for people who have been socially isolated and excluded by providing an open, inclusive and safe environment to play football, make friends, build self-confidence and improve their mental wellbeing.
“We have around 20 clients attending – both male and female – from hostels and temporary and bed and breakfast accommodation from across Merthyr Tydfil,” said Scott Jeynes, Street Football Wales Project Manager.
“We’re proud to offer free weekly drop-in football sessions that are run by qualified and enhanced DBS checked coaches and first aiders,” he added.
“The project continues to grow each week and over the past 12 months, its success has been unprecedented. Pobl Housing Association is the driving force behind it, and their Service Manager Kyle Ritchie is responsible for making it such a success while working in partnership with the County Borough Council and Street Football Wales.”
The Street Football Wales project has just secured funding to expand its training and education package to include football leadership awards and first aid courses. This package is aimed at building self-confidence and gaining key life skills.
Sessions take place every Friday from 2pm-3.30pm and all are welcome. For further information, please contact Caitlin at: [email protected] or call 07832 616848.
