Haverfordwest County AFC were delighted to be involved at last Sundays (17th-19th August) LGBT Sport Cymru’s Pride Youth Games 2018 at Stackpole National Trust centre.
The event was organised by PRIDE Games and LGBT Sport Cymru in partnership with Sport Pembrokeshire and The Stackpole Centre. It has been held since 2008 and past venues include Manchester, Carlisle and Stirling. 120 young people from all over the UK took part in the games on the weekend and the activities on offer were football, surfing, golf, stand up paddle board, cricket, mountain biking, beach rugby, stand up paddleboard and beach yoga. PYG is a tried and tested model of supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) young people to develop confidence, increase resilience, and improve their skills. By providing new pathways into sport and activity, PYG also redresses a significant inequality, which continues to exist.
Recent research in England and Scotland has highlighted how LGBT+ young people’s experiences of physical education within school often makes them disengage from sport, making them less likely to meet physical health recommendations. Another consequence of young people’s negative experiences of school sport is that they never progress into community sport. Access is a principle of the Games and this can be delivered through mixed gender sports, inclusive or disability sport, and an open attitude to dress and sportswear for trans and non-binary young people.
Haverfordwest AFC delivered a number of team-related activities, which focused on enjoyment and success that football can bring. Morale was high and individuals were keen to be part of a team and communicate with each other effectively.
The “More than a Club” project, led by Vi-Ability and the Football Association of Ireland, is being delivered in partnership with Haverfordwest County AFC, where the club aims to develop a new social enterprise to deliver innovative programmes to improve health, education and social inclusion in the community of Pembrokeshire.
The pilot project is supported by the Ireland Wales European Territorial Co-Operation programme, which is helping to strengthen collaboration between Ireland and Wales to address common economic and social challenges.
‘More Than a Club’ Community Development Officer, Wyndham, said, “It was really encouraging to see how all the participants were inspired and engaged with the football sessions and how much they benefitted from the experience. This will really support our efforts to open the gates of the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium to the people of Pembrokeshire, where individuals, regardless of background, can regularly take part in ‘More Than a Club’ programmes to improve their health and wellbeing, while becoming an active member of their community”
For more information on the programmes being delivered at Haverfordwest County AFC, email Wyndham on wyndham@vi-ability.org or call 07718426095.
