Funding boost for local football clubs to expand community work

Two local football clubs have received a funding boost to help expand their work in the community.

Coedpoeth Utd FC and Wrexham Schools FA have received a share of the Summer Soccer Fund, an initiative between North Wales Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC) Andy Dunbobbin and the Football Association of Wales.

In July, the PCC invited football and community organisations in North Wales to apply for funding for sports-related initiatives, with the aim of addressing concerns such as increased instances of anti-social behaviour during the summer months, by giving children and young people an opportunity to engage in a positive activity during the school break.

The fund was established as part of the Innovate to Grow Scheme – the PCC’s initiative to target and invest in projects dealing with the root causes of crime across North Wales, especially ones that offer new and innovative ideas of preventing and tackling wrongdoing.

The full list of clubs awarded monies from the Summer Soccer Fund can be found in full below:

• AURA
• Coedpoeth Utd FC
• Connah’s Quay Nomands
• CPD Dyffryn & Talybont
• Penrhosgarnedd Football Club
• Porthmadog Girls Football Club
• Wrexham Schools FA

The amount awarded ranged from nearly £500 to almost £4,000 depending on the clubs’ applications.

Mr Dunbobbin visited Penrhosgarnedd FC at their Treborth Fields ground in Bangor to celebrate the success of the Summer Soccer Fund.

During the visit, alongside Deputy PCC Wayne Jones and PCSO Jack Mitchelmore from North Wales Police, the PCC met some of the young players and leaders of the team and heard what a difference their grant of over £1,600 from the fund had made for them and the delivery of summer activities.

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin stated: “I am delighted to have awarded funding to clubs and groups in our region.

“I was very pleased by the response to my Summer Soccer Fund. We were impressed by the quality of the applications received, with the enthusiasm and dedication these clubs have for sport and the evident community participation they all demonstrated.

“As your PCC, my focus is on supporting our communities and I established the Summer Soccer Fund to reduce the potential for anti-social behaviour in our region by giving clubs and organisations the platform to host worthwhile activities for young people, in turn fostering a safe and inclusive environment.

“Given the ongoing football tournaments and Wrexham AFC’s global recognition, there has never been a better time to celebrate football and sport in general in North Wales. Applicants are now able to develop their projects with this funding, and I’m looking forward to seeing these exciting projects gain pace and have a positive impact in our communities.

“Given the amount of interest we received, I am keen to develop this initiative further, especially during the school holiday period – giving our children a further range of activities they can get involved with.”

Noel Mooney, FAW Chief Executive, said: “It’s great to see these football clubs from across the north of Wales benefitting from the Summer Soccer Fund and it’s fantastic to see that there was so much interest in the fund.

“This will be really positive for local communities offering free, fun and healthy activities for children living in the area, giving them a positive focus over the summer holidays.

“We’re pleased to have been able to work with the Police and Crime Commissioner on this project which harnesses the power of football for health, wellbeing and the community.”

While applications for the Summer Soccer Fund are now closed, the OPCC are still inviting applications for the wider Innovate to Grow funding scheme

To find out more about Innovate to Grow and to submit an application, visit the PCC’s website.