Dyer helps kick off Cadets League

Nathan Dyer heated things up this week as he visited Morriston Fire Station to show his support for the Community Trust’s Fire Cadets League.

Now in its third year, the league – run by the Community Trust’s Premier League Kicks project in partnership with the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service – aims to help recruit young cadets and to aid the fire services with the reduction of arson in Mid and west Wales.

With cadet schemes from across the country competing against each other in an array of firefighting drills and football skills, the league has continued to grow and now engages with approximately 110 young people each season.

Helping to kick off the league for another season was Swans winger Dyer and club ambassador Lee Trundle, who joined the budding young firefighters in Morriston to complete each activity station.

“It’s massively important that we, as players, get out to support our community initiatives,” Dyer said. “Ever since I joined this club it was obvious it was family oriented and it’s nice that we can give back.

“It’s great to encourage local young people to not just be like us as footballers but to pursue other careers in other aspects of life like firefighting.”

Dyer joins the likes of Angel Rangel and Jordi Amat, who have all supported the project in recent seasons, and it’s always a highlight of the cadet calendar for the participants.

“Since we launched the league three years ago, it has gone from strength to strength,” said Liam Ellis, one of the Swans’ PL Kicks coaches. “We have seen new participants getting involved every season and the addition of new schemes each year.

“When we first launched it, we had six schemes participating, which has gone on to nearly double. We saw three new Fire Cadet Schemes join last year, as well as two police youth volunteer groups.

“It’s great to see the league continuing to grow, especially with the support of Lee Trundle and Nathan Dyer, as the cadets always enjoy seeing the players kitted out in all the firefighting gear and getting stuck in.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them both, as well as all those involved with the league, more specifically the volunteer firefighters and the members of the fire service, in addition to the South Wales Police for their continued support in helping the League and partnership grow.”

To find out more about PL Kicks or the Cadets League, contact Liam on Liam@scfccommunitytrust.co.uk