Llanelli holds first street football festival

Football teams from businesses in and around Carmarthenshire came together to tackle the issue of homelessness at Actif Sports and Leisure’s inaugural street football festival in Llanelli.

The event, held at Stebonheath Park, was sponsored by construction firm Bouygues UK, which is currently working on the first phase of the town’s Pentre Awel scheme, and celebrated the Actif Street Football programme, which aims to support people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless by using sport to improve their physical, mental and social health.

The programme lets council housing and employment advisors maintain regular contact with at-risk individuals at weekly training sessions in Llanelli, allowing officers to facilitate ongoing support and guidance.

Nine teams took part in the competition, with the Actif Street Football team coming out on top after beating Swansea City on penalties. All those who participated received medals provided by Tata Steel.

Bouygues UK is currently working on Zone 1 of the multi-million-pound Pentre Awel development, and, along with its supply chain partners, sponsored the event and fielded its own team for the festival made up of staff currently working on the landmark project.

Nina Willams, social value adviser at Bouygues UK, said: “Since working on Pentre Awel, Bouygues UK has been committed to a broad programme of community benefits to realise social, economic, cultural and environmental benefits.

“It was fantastic to sponsor the Actif Street Football tournament. Social value is extremely important to us at Bouygues UK and this event provided a perfect opportunity to support those in need in the local community in a truly collaborative way.”

Carmarthenshire County Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, culture, leisure and tourism, Cllr Hazel Evans, added: “The event was a huge success in raising awareness about the issues surrounding homelessness.

“The street football programme acts as a safe and reliable place individuals can go to seek support in an inclusive environment centred around sport.

“Congratulations to the winning team and thank you to the event organisers, sponsors and partners for their efforts.”

Llanelli deputy town mayor Shaun Greaney attended the event and said: “Llanelli Town Council was delighted to be able to partner with Actif to host the Street Football Festival event in Stebonheath Park. It was excellent to see so many teams taking part and enjoying the fine weather and an opportunity to play on the historic Stebonheath turf. My thanks to all the other partners who helped make this event possible”.

A spokesperson from Street Football Wales added: “Our weekly sessions and events have such a positive impact on local communities. They give individuals the chance to make new friends, build their confidence and create a good routine.

“The dynamic relationship that’s been built with Actif Sport and Leisure has provided new sessions of street football in another area of Wales. The relationship also fosters positive change within more individuals’ lives across Wales.”

Street Football Wales is an initiative that seeks to support excluded people throughout Wales through the medium of football. The programme, whose patrons include Michael Sheen OBE, has set its sights on the 2024 Homeless World Cup in Seoul.

In keeping with the aims of the Street Football Wales, various charities and organisations were also in attendance, including the mental health charity Mind and the Salvation Army, to offer vital help and aid to those who desperately need it.

Actif holds weekly street football sessions at Llanelli Leisure Centre on Fridays at noon.