EFL Together Against Racism | Football for All project
Cardiff City FC and Cardiff City FC Community Foundation are supporting the EFL's Together Against Racism campaign, taking place 17th-28th October.
Football clubs are at the heart of communities, serving as vital hubs where the benefit extends beyond the pitch. Cardiff City FC Community Foundation’s programmes use the unique appeal of Cardiff City FC, bringing people together through a shared passion for football and the club, where factors such as age, disability, faith and ethnicity aren’t barriers to participation.
In partnership with Cardiff Council’s Refugee Resettlement Department, the Foundation supported families who were residing across Cardiff, with the ‘Football for All’ project, generously funded by The National Lottery.
Quick to adapt and react to the changing circumstances of refugee and asylum seekers in the city, they created a programme of support including workshops, half term football camps and tournaments that would help increase their physical and mental wellbeing and offer a pathway into other community activities, helping to create a cohesive community feeling.
Community Foundation coaches delivered football coaching sessions designed not only to get participants active but to improve English language skills and equip them with the tools to be able to continue with football sessions after their resettlement period and integrate within local communities.
The Foundation also created opportunities for wider community integration, offering beneficiaries tours of Cardiff City Stadium, matchday experiences and making use of the sports facilities that we use across the city.
The impact of these sessions reached far beyond the field, they created much needed routine through safe social spaces for individuals who had faced immense challenges and displacement.
This project shows that football can transcend cultural and linguistic barriers, allowing participants to find joy and camaraderie on the pitch, foster a sense of belonging, and build new connections within the community. In times of crisis, sport can act as a powerful tool for healing and bringing communities together.
Wali Mohamed, Refugee Resettlement Project Manager, Cardiff Council, said: "In the face of adversity, the beautiful game unites us all. Cardiff City FC Community Foundation's provision of football sessions for Afghan refugee children and adults exemplifies the power of sport to heal, inspire, and bridge divides. Through this initiative, they have not only taught football skills but also provided hope and a sense of belonging, making a lasting positive impact on the lives of those seeking refuge and a brighter future."
“The initiative serves as a reminder that, through empathy, understanding, and shared passion, we can come together to build a brighter future for everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances.”
Zac Lyndon-Jones, Head of Community Development, Cardiff City FC Community Foundation, added: "We are on a mission to connect and empower individuals of all ages and backgrounds, promoting a sense of belonging, leadership, and unity through the beautiful game, and building a stronger, more united community across Cardiff."
You can still register for free 'Football for All' sessions in Cardiff for refugees and asylum seekers aged 18 and over. Sign up here.