Bringing Cardiff City Communities Together for Black History Month

Throughout October, in celebration of Black History Month, Cardiff City Football Club’s official charity hosted a range of inclusive activities and events across communities in the capital city.

From football tournaments and educational workshops to inspiring team talks, each event brought together young people from across Cardiff and the Valleys, connecting individuals from diverse backgrounds to learn and inspire one another through the power of football.

Hosted by friend of the Foundation and award winning local presenter, Bablu Shikar, Cardiff City FC Community Foundation kicked off their line-up of targeted sessions at Grangetown Pavillion in Grange Gardens, just a stone’s throw from the home of the football club.

The gathering included thematic workshops, rotated with football games, uniting young people aged 11-16 from Premier League Kicks sites in Butetown, Barry, Grangetown and Aberdare in recognition of the rich diversity of Cardiff and its surrounding areas.

Premier League Kicks, funded by the Premier League through the Premier League Foundation, uses the power of football and sport to inspire young people to reach their potential in some of the most high-need areas in England and Wales.

The youth outreach team led on an educational workshop that explored Cardiff’s deep rooted multi-cultural heritage and what allyship means to young people, equipping them with the vital tools to challenge racism through their shared passion for football.

Bablu sparked important conversations across our teams, championing discussions around Black role models and highlighting the importance of challenging racism.

BABLU QUOTE:

Next, the Community Foundation delivered a Black History Month session in the classroom at our partner primary school, St Joseph's R.C. Primary School. Funded by the Premier League through the Premier League Foundation, the Premier League Primary Stars programme uses the appeal of football to help children stay active and develop essential life skills.

Joined by Cardiff City FC first team player and Welsh international, Ronan Kpakio, coaches worked with pupils to learn about inspiring people and black voices in sport, leading conversations around empowering football stars like Marcus Rashford and Lauren James.

Pupils, staff, teachers and Ronan shared their favourite heroes and discussed the importance of providing opportunities for everyone, recognising that everyone is capable of being an inspiring person.

During the session, a young girl named Alfonsa chose to draw Kpakio as her inspirational role model. Afterwards, she proudly showed him her artwork and asked him to sign it.

Cardiff City FC Community Foundation delivered these sessions across a range of schools in South Wales, including Trinant Primary School, Blackwood Primary School and Woodlands High School.

Ronan Kpakio, Cardiff City FC Men's First Team player said:

"It’s great to see the Community Foundation creating spaces that celebrate different cultures and bringing people together through football.

"Seeing a young person draw me as their inspirational person was really special. It’s amazing to continue being a art of black history month again in our local communities."

The charity's Further and Higher Education provision also hosted a Black History Month Futsal Tournament, bringing together several local colleges to compete for the trophy while taking part in team-talks around Cardiff City's black history, black role models and inclusion.

Bringing these communities together allowed young people who might not usually interact with one another to connect and broaden their perspectives, reinforcing the importance of inclusion and respect in sport.

We believe in the power of connection, and we're committed to creating opportunities for everyone to belong.

Each event, discussion, activity, kick of a football helped showcase the multi-ethnic communities and cultures engaged with everyday across our programmes in South Wales.

Diolch to everyone who embraced the activities with such passion and enthusiasm.