STEPASIDE Community Primary School joined Kilgetty AFC recently for the Kilgetty Centenary Fair Trade Cup.
Thirty-five pupils from the school in Kilgetty walked down with their teachers to Kilgetty AFC to play football with the Pembrokeshire village’s Under 8s, Under 9s Mixed Teams and Kilgetty Under 9s and 11s Girls.
Fair Trade In Football Campaign Founder and Kilgetty AFC Secretary Sharron Hardwick organised the event, with Under 9s Coach Jenna Gwyther and Assistant Headteacher Kate Chandler Hall.
Sponsored by Fair Trade Wales grant funding, the event celebrated Kilgetty’s 100th year as a football club and marked Fairtrade Fortnight using the all-new Bala Sport Fairly Traded footballs. It also gave pupils with no previous football experience the opportunity to play football.
Upon their arrival, the excited young players learned the difference fair trade makes, ensuring safe and fair working conditions, workers’ rights, no forced or child labour; with every ball giving a 15 per cent Fairtrade premium payment workers use to improve their lives and communities.
To kick off, players stood in teams - in a long line - ready to play a giant game of crocodiles. It was high-energy fun!
With five pitches set up on the sports field, teams and coaches moved to their allocated pitch to play two games of Fair Trade football, Stepaside School teams versus Kilgetty AFC teams.
Matches started and ended simultaneously on the siren. The games were non-competitive, so all the players were real winners as they enjoyed the event and won the fight for fairness for Fair Trade football makers. Everyone received a certificate and Fairtrade chocolate. Fair Trade Cups were presented to Kilgetty AFC and Stepaside School.
Sharron Hardwick said: “Through my Fair Trade In football campaign, I hope to continue partnering with Kilgetty AFC and Stepaside School, giving children further opportunities to play Fair Trade football. Thanks to all, especially Fair Trade Wales for sponsorship and Bala Sport for working tirelessly to get Fairly Traded footballs back on the market.”
Stepaside School thanked the organisers, with Stacey saying: “Great afternoon, well done to all the kids and all for organising it. Especially to the kids who have never played football in their lives, great to see them enjoying it and taking part. Little stars!”
Assistant Headteacher Kate Chandler Hall said: “Thank you to all who helped organise this, it was Fab! Everyone had a great time!”
Kilgetty AFC is run by volunteers and funded by membership and sponsorship.
Sign up as a coach and help create new teams or support financially here: [email protected] or www.facebook.com/KilgettyAFC
To find out more about Fair Trade in Wales and fairly traded footballs, visit www.fairtradeinfootball.com, www.balasport.uk and www.fairtradewales.com .