Cardiff City FC Community Foundation, the official charity of Cardiff City FC, has been awarded Best Social Impact Initiative at the Welsh Sports Association Sports Industry Awards 2025, in recognition of the charity’s impact across South Wales over the past year.

The award, sponsored by Bute Energy, celebrates organisations harnessing the power of sport to drive meaningful change. Over the last 12 months, the Foundation delivered a record social impact of £33.4 million, supporting children, young people, and families across South Wales to achieve their full potential.

This achievement was made possible through strengthened partnerships with local authorities, the NHS, education providers, businesses, and charities— to expand targeted programmes that directly respond to the needs of communities facing disadvantage.

Over the last season, the Community Foundation has expanded key initiatives, including extended hours for their sensory room, a women’s only health programme delivered in partnership with a charity supporting ethnically diverse communities, and a junior apprenticeship scheme to provide alternative learning pathways for young people.

In 2023/24, their targeted approach made a measurable impact:

• 86% of participants reported improved wellbeing
• 90% reported an improved sense of belonging in their community
• 93% showed increased interest in personal progression, such as further education or employment

Winning this award highlights what can be achieved when sport and community come together with purpose. The Community Foundation will continue to listen, adapt, and work alongside partners to create opportunities, improve lives, and support communities across South Wales.

Ken Choo, Cardiff city FC Executive Director & CEO said:

“I am delighted to see our Community Foundation win the prestigious Best Social Impact Initiative Award for 2025. The Community Foundation plays such an important role in our local communities, and this Award is thoroughly deserved for all the hard work put in by staff, coaches and volunteers.

“I’m excited to see what’s in store for the Community Foundation for the remainder of 2025 and beyond, as they continue their excellent work in helping to improve the lives of thousands of people across South Wales.”

Speaking about the award, Zac Lyndon Jones, Interim Director of Cardiff City FC Community Foundation, said:

“Winning the Best Social Impact Initiative is a huge honour and a proud moment for us all. It recognises the strength of our community and the dedication of our team. This award is for the children, young people, and families across South Wales who inspire us every day with their resilience, courage, and ambition.

We’re continuing to grow our impact and strengthen partnerships so that more people can benefit from our work. Thank you to Cardiff City FC, our charity partners, funders, volunteers, staff, and trustees — their ongoing support makes everything we do possible."

In 2023/24, their targeted approach made a measurable impact:

• 86% of participants reported improved wellbeing
• 90% reported an improved sense of belonging in their community
• 93% showed increased interest in personal progression, such as further education or employment

Winning this award highlights what can be achieved when sport and community come together with purpose. The Community Foundation will continue to listen, adapt, and work alongside partners to create opportunities, improve lives, and support communities across South Wales.

Ken Choo, Cardiff City FC Executive Director & CEO said:

“I am delighted to see our Community Foundation win the prestigious Best Social Impact Initiative Award for 2025. The Community Foundation plays such an important role in our local communities, and this Award is thoroughly deserved for all the hard work put in by staff, coaches and volunteers.

“I’m excited to see what’s in store for the Community Foundation for the remainder of 2025 and beyond, as they continue their excellent work in helping to improve the lives of thousands of people across South Wales.”

Speaking about the award, Zac Lyndon Jones, Interim Director of Cardiff City FC Community Foundation, said:

“Winning the Best Social Impact Initiative is a huge honour and a proud moment for us all. It recognises the strength of our community and the dedication of our team. This award is for the children, young people, and families across South Wales who inspire us every day with their resilience, courage, and ambition.

We’re continuing to grow our impact and strengthen partnerships so that more people can benefit from our work. Thank you to Cardiff City FC, our charity partners, funders, volunteers, staff, and trustees — their ongoing support makes everything we do possible."