Wrexham Community Cup 2019 announced – Bellevue FC v Wrexham DSA All Stars

A unique football match aimed at promoting inclusion and equality will return to the town next month, with two diverse teams going head to head to win the trophy.

Bellevue FC will take on the Wrexham DSA All Stars on March 17th at Bellevue Park in this year’s Wrexham Community Cup tournament.

It’s the second time the event has taken place in Wrexham, with this year’s Community Cup supported by Level Playing Field, Football v Homophobia and Show Racism the Red Card to name just a few.

The brainchild of Steve Gilbert, an avid and relentless campaigner for equality within football, the tournament highlights local inclusion initiatives and the great work carried out by organisations across the country.

As well as his main role at the Wrexham Disabled Supporters Association, Steve works closely with both local and national organisations promoting equality in sport from every spectrum.

He also works very closely with Bellevue FC, Wrexham’s first league registered, multi-ethnic and Inclusion specific football club, with almost all of their players coming from foreign backgrounds, either as refugees, asylum seekers or economic and educational migrants, or local players with mental health issues or learning difficulties.

It is this inclusive mindset that encouraged Steve to put together the first Wrexham Community Cup, with Bellevue FC.

The aim of the event is to show how much can be achieved when we all work together towards equality and inclusion, not only in sport, but in local communities.

Event founder and organiser Steve Gilbert said: “I believe inclusion is as important as accessibility in the work we do at the Disabled Supporters Association. That carries over into life and everyone should be treated with equal respect regardless of creed, colour, sexual identity or preference.

“To that end we look forward again to working with our great friends at Bellevue FC as well as Football V Homophobia and Show Racism The Red Card Cymru as we as Level Playing Field who we have a long standing relationship with.

“Football is such a powerful unifier and we will all see and feel that on the day.”

Last year’s event saw Kick it Out, Fans for Diversity, Wrexham AFC and the Co-op all working together to promote community cohesion and social integration through sport.

Next month’s event will see Bellevue FC take on a team billed as the Wrexham DSA All Stars, which will include members of the Wrexham Disabled Supporters Association, former professionals and local players both past and present.

Match Co-ordinator Delwyn Derrick, also the secretary at Bellevue FC, said: “Wrexham is a special place when it comes to communities, and the Wrexham Community Cup is a celebration of that as well as a chance to give well deserved recognition to people and organisations who work hard to achieve inclusion and diversity in football.

“We are really excited to work alongside Show Racism the Red Card for a third time in the last twelve months and we’re looking forward to also forging new friendships and working relationships with Level Playing Field and Football V Homophobia.

“We also hope to see some familiar faces on the day, which we’ve been privileged to work alongside for a couple of years now. Ultimately we hope that the big winner will be the sport.”

The Wrexham Community Cup will take place at Bellevue Park near the town centre on Sunday 17th March. Kick off is 1pm and there is no tickets / admission costs.

Following the match Ty Pawb will be hosting the Community Cup Social and trophy presentation. Curry on the Go and the bar will be open.