Owen Dexter, a 18-year-old student on the NCFE Level 3 Diploma in Sport & Activity, faced significant personal challenges while pursuing his education at Cardiff City 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.
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.
Despite another major health setback after surgery, Owen successfully completed his NCFE Level 3 Diploma in Sport & Activity and earned a place on the Sport Performance Analysis course at Cardiff Metropolitan University. With his positive attitude and 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 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.”
Owen Dexter, Community Foundation Alumni shared:
"At times, I felt like I was falling behind, physically and with my coursework, but I was determined not to let my heart condition define me. The support I received at the 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.
Alys' Story
After the pandemic, Alys struggled with severe anxiety that made leaving the house a major challenge. Today, she attends classes regularly and enjoys girls’ futsal, something she once thought impossible after years of isolation from her peers.
Evan's Story
Traditional school settings hadn’t worked for Evan, but since joining the Junior Apprenticeship programme and developing a close bond with his Foundation mentor, his outlook on education has now changed.
Henry's Story
From Cardiff City fan to dedicated youth worker, Henry has grown into a proud ambassador for the Foundation’s work—supported every step of the way by our Further and Higher Education programmes.
