Premier League Fans’ Fund and Premier League Kicks helps James feel part of strong, supportive community
James began his journey with Swansea City AFC Foundation through the Premier League Fans’ Fund project, via a partnership between the Foundation and the Chinese in Wales Association.
The Swans Foundation delivered free football sessions at the Vetch Field over the course of a six-week block, to help support members of the Chinese in Wales Association community and give young people the opportunity to experience football within a familiar environment.
Having thoroughly enjoyed those sessions, James continued his engagement in community activities by joining the Premier League Kicks session in Townhill.
Inclusion manager at Swansea City AFC Foundation, Lloyd Thomas, believes James’ journey highlights the pathway participants can follow through the Foundation, and how this can positively impact their development.
“We met James initially through the Chinese in Wales Association sessions we did down the Vetch Field,” said Thomas.
“We offered six weeks of free turn up and play football to engage with the Chinese in Wales Association community.
“Prior to those sessions, James would just play in school or in the yard, he’d never been part of a team before. I think coming here gives him the feel of being part of a team and part of a strong community, which is really important for his development going forward.
“At the start he was extremely quiet, kept himself to himself but would turn up every week. He’s extremely polite, also does his best and through coming here we can see him engaging with other people, making new friends, communicating better and he always has a smile on his face.
“It’s really important to have true engagement from all in our community and for everyone to feel welcome to come to these mainstream sessions. Here in Townhill, for example, we have a range of different abilities and cultures so it’s fantastic to get everyone in Swansea together communicating and enjoying the sport which many of us love.”
James’ mother Zhangqin Wu expressed her appreciation of the access and support James is receiving through the Foundation.
“He is really enjoying playing football. The access and support is amazing,” added Wu.
The Premier League Fans’ Fund project aims to promote equality, diversity and inclusion and has contributed to the Foundation reaching over 700 more people from ethnically diverse backgrounds during the 2023-2024 reporting year compared to the previous 12-month period.
As part of the Foundation’s partnership with the Chinese in Wales Association, participants were also given the opportunity to attend their first Swansea City fixture at the Swansea.com Stadium.
“Earlier in the season we invited the Chinese in Wales Association to come to a Swans game at the Swansea.com Stadium,” added Thomas.
“It was fantastic to offer them this opportunity as many of them had never had the opportunity to come before, so it was a great moment to see them engaging with all the matchday activities and walking up the stairs, seeing the pitch for the first time.”