Families from the Chinese in Wales Association experience first live football match
Families from the Chinese in Wales Association recently attended their first live football match at the Swansea.com Stadium, with a little help from Swansea City and the Swansea City AFC Foundation.
Swansea City AFC Foundation have been working with the Chinese in Wales Association through the Premier League Fans’ Fund project, All Jacks.
The initiative aims to build a more inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome through the power of sport, and the Foundation tailor the programme to reach the needs of each organisation.
The sessions with the Chinese in Wales Association were held on the site of the club's former Vetch Field home, and participants were then given the chance to attend the fixture against Stoke City at the Swansea.com Stadium.
“With the Chinese in Wales Association we’ve delivered a block of six weeks of free football sessions at the Vetch Field, which is a great link to the origins of the football club,” said Lloyd Thomas, inclusion manager at Swansea City AFC Foundation.
“It was free to turn up and play and we’ve created a great rapport with the young people and offered some support with some football skills.
“It’s really important for us to be inclusive as we can and to provide equal opportunity for everyone who lives in Swansea.”
Jia Wang from the Chinese in Wales Association highlighted the impact partnering with the Swans Foundation has had on the Chinese community in Swansea.
“It’s been very impactful to collaborate with the Fans’ Fund project,” said Wang.
“Through the initiative we have been able to offer something very special to the Chinese community. These opportunities have not only introduced football to the younger generation, but also it’s helped the sense of belonging in the wider community.
“The Swans Foundation have been wonderful. They have a great passion to promote equality, diversity and inclusion and they’ve done a great job to ensure everyone feels welcome.”
The project not only aims to introduce participants from different backgrounds to football as a game, but also seels to assist in attending matches and joining the Swansea City family.
Wang was delighted that the participants had the opportunity to go to their first game, and felt that it was a good experience for them.
“For many families this is their first time attending a live football match, which has been very exciting,” added Wang.
“It’s really heartwarming to see the families and children enjoy the game in such an inclusive environment. It shows football is truly for everyone and it helps promote the community unity, bringing people together in such a meaningful way.”
And Thomas hopes the matchday experience will not prove to be a one-off for those who attended.
"Hopefully we’re creating lifelong fans. We truly enjoy the engagement between existing fan members and new fan members which is what this project is all about," he concluded.