18 Feb 2022
Police and Crime Commissioner welcomed the opportunity to be part of the 15-year anniversary celebration of the Premier league Kicks programme, with the Premier League showcasing the impact the initiative is having on local communities via a series of videos released during this week.
To celebrate the initiative, Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn was invited to take part in the promotional video with the league, where he presented participant Harri from Seaside, Llanelli with a Local Legends card from the Premier League.
The aim of the PL Kicks programme is to use football and sport in general to inspire children and young people, and bring communities together.
Over the last two years, PCC Dafydd Llywelyn has commissioned Swansea City AFC Foundation to run free sessions in two areas within the Force area, in Seaside Llanelli, and Pembroke Dock, with hundreds of children and young people turning out on a weekly basis.
Following their success in both areas, in September 2021, PCC Dafydd Llywelyn announced that the programme was to be extended for another three years in Seaside Llanelli and Pembroke Dock under a new agreement, and also introduced to children and young people in three new areas, in Aberystwyth, Newtown, and Carmarthen.
Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said: “It was great to be part of the celebrations this week, and I would like to congratulate the Premier League for the success of their Kicks initiative and the positive impact the programme is having on communities.”
“By working with with Swansea City Foundation to bring the initative to areas with Dyfed-Powys, I wanted to try to reduce the amount of anti-social behaviour and youths congregating, as you would expect during the evenings, and give them an alternative.
“What better way to do it than to engage through football?
“It gives them an outlet, as well, for some of their frustrations and to burn up a little bit of energy. We did that and it was very successful.
"Not everyone's got opportunities, and this particular area and other areas across Dyfed-Powys are quite deprived in that sense, and for the Premier League to reinvest back into local communities is fantastic.”
Youth Engagement Manager at Swansea City Foundation, Craig Richards said: “The Swans Kicks Project in partnership with the Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Commissioner offers young people opportunities and a sense of belonging.
“It has been a difficult 24 months for everyone. However, we believe these sessions are having a positive influence on young people and building stronger communities to reduce and prevent crime. We are excited to be able to offer football sessions to all areas in Dyfed Powys and thank the Police Crime Commissioner for his full support towards the programme.”
The sessions take place in the following locations within Dyfed-Powys;
Carmathen (Mondays), Seaside (Tuesdaya), Newtown (Thursdays), Pembroke (Fridays), Aberystwyth (Fridays).
To sign up to the Premier League Kicks Sessions, please click here.
ENDS
Picture: PCC Dafydd Llywelyn, Local Legend Harri, Lee Trundle, Craig Richards
More info:
Gruff Ifan
Policy and Engagement Advisor
Gruffudd.ifan@dyfed-powys.pnn.police.uk
PCC Dafydd Llywelyn, Local Legend Harri, Lee Trundle, Craig Richards
