Owen Dexter, a 18-year-old student on the Level 3 Sport course, faced significant personal challenges while pursuing his education at Cardiff City FC Community Foundation. Diagnosed with a serious heart condition, Owen was unable to participate in futsal or any physical activity for over seven months after starting the course, leaving him feeling isolated from his peers.
Initially, Owen struggled with feelings of self-blame and frustration. His inability to keep up with his teammates created a sense of disconnection, which, in turn, impacted his self-esteem and independence, having an impact on his mental health.
In addition to the emotional and physical challenges, Owen also fell behind on his academic work due to his health condition. This had an impact on his attendance, making it difficult for him to stay on track with his studies. Despite these setbacks, tutors supported him to push through the obstacles he was facing.
Following surgery, thanks to the encouragement of coaches, Owen began to engage more actively in the course and participated in futsal on a daily basis, helping him to rebuild his fitness and regain his confidence. With this confidence boost, Owen also joined a local football club, giving him an outlet to stay connected to the sport while managing his health. Despite falling behind initially, tutors provided extra support to assist Owen catch up on coursework, helping him to complete all assignments on time and successfully pass his first year of the course.
The Level 3 Sport course at the Community Foundation provided Owen with invaluable benefits, both academically and personally. Consistent engagement with tutors, students, and peers slowly but surely boosted Owen’s self-esteem. Tutors created a supportive network where Owen could rely on the provision for motivation, advice and encouragement. This environment gave him the confidence to open up about his struggles and seek help when needed.
Futsal, a major part of the course, provided Owen with a structured way to stay fit and healthy after surgery. It became a key motivator for him to recover, stay on top of his health, and improve his physical condition. The course offered relevant and realistic content that helped Owen connect with the sporting world. He began to explore career aspirations in the industry, which helped him look beyond his heart condition and envision a future in football.
Owen now has big aspirations of becoming a football coach. His positive experience at the Foundation has reinforced his passion for the sport and hopes to use his experiences to mentor and inspire others in the future. In his final year of the Level 3 course, Owen is now actively mapping out his plans for university to study football coaching.
Owen has proven that with determination, resilience, and support, individuals can overcome significant health challenges and thrive. With his positive attitude, strong work ethic, and the nurturing environment provided by the Foundation, Owen is now well on his way to achieving his goals.
Matthew Pugh, Head of Post-16 Education at Cardiff City FC Community Foundation said:
"Owen's ability to overcome both personal and academic challenges, despite facing significant health obstacles, has been nothing short of inspiring. At Cardiff City FC Community Foundation, we pride ourselves on creating a supportive environment, and Owen’s story highlights just how crucial that support can be in helping young people reach their full potential.
His achievements, both on and off the courts, demonstrate that with hard work, the right opportunities, and a strong sense of purpose, the future is wide open.”
"At times, I felt like I was falling behind—physically and academically—but I was determined not to let my heart condition define me. The support I received at Cardiff City FC Community Foundation made all the difference. It gave me the chance to rebuild my confidence and push myself to catch up on everything I had missed. Every day, I kept my focus on what I wanted to achieve—not just for myself, but to show others that you can overcome this challenge. Now, I’m more determined than ever to become a football coach and inspire others to keep pushing forward, no matter what they face.”
We’re proud to be able to offer our students a relaxed atmosphere to learn and the opportunity to transfer what they’ve learned in the classroom through structured, practical training sessions.
Grace's story
In high school, Grace struggled with motivation to engage in her subjects and complete her work, resulting in a lack of routine and low self-esteem. Seeking a different path, Grace saw the Community Foundation as an opportunity to blend her love of football with her studies.
Empowering Women Through Fit Bluebirds
Cardiff City FC Community Foundation teamed up with Women Connect First to offer a women’s-only Fit Bluebirds session, providing a safe space for participants to get fit and support each other on their health journeys.
Alex's Story
Thanks to Futsal and personalised support from dedicated staff, Alex has established a healthy routine and has stayed motivated with his coursework, helping him to outline his game plan for a bright future.
