Community Foundation Director steps down to take on new role
Gavin Hawkey steps down as Director of Cardiff City FC Community Foundation
Cardiff City FC Community Foundation will proudly host the South West and Wales regional qualifier for the Under-16 mixed and girls’ Premier League Kicks Cup on Wednesday 16th April at Cardiff City House of Sport.
As the hosting club, the Community Foundation will welcome 11 other community teams to Cardiff, uniting young people through football and educational workshops.
This regional tournament is part of a nationwide series of nine events held at community facilities across the country, giving hundreds of young people representing Premier League, EFL, and National League clubs the chance to progress to the Premier League Kicks Cup 2025 Finals at St George’s Park in July.
The tournament will see male and female participants aged 14–16, all of whom engage in the Premier League Kicks programme, compete in group stage fixtures for a spot in the national finals.
In addition to the football action, the event will feature two educational workshops designed to support the personal development of participants:
- Knife Crime Awareness – A lived experience talk offering insight and prevention guidance.
- Wellbeing and Healthy Lifestyle Choices – Focusing on physical activity, mental health, and education.
Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur are the current Premier League Kicks Cup champions, having won the Under-16 mixed and Under-16 girls’ tournaments respectively in 2024.
The Premier League Kicks Cup tournament is one of the competition elements of Premier League Kicks. The programme uses the power of football and sport to inspire young people to reach their potential, in some of the most high-need areas of England and Wales.
Premier League Charitable Fund Chief Executive, Ruth Shaw OBE, said:
“Premier League Kicks gives young people the opportunity to access free football in their local community.
“Over 1,400 young people from 93 professional football club community organisations will take part in the regional tournaments, where they will enjoy competitive football and make friends along the way. They will also have the chance to engage in activities that will help them develop on and off the pitch.”
Premier League Kicks Coordinator at Cardiff City FC Community Foundation, Jamie Thomas, said:
“The Kicks Cup is always a highlight in our calendar – it’s a chance for young people from our Premier League Kicks sessions to get out there, meet new people, and be part of something bigger than just football.
We're proud and honoured to host this year’s regional tournament here in Cardiff, and to welcome teams from across the South West and Wales - it’s a brilliant opportunity to bring communities together and celebrate everything the programme stands for. None of this would be possible without the incredible support of the Premier League Charitable Fund.”
In addition to providing young people with access to free football and sports activities, professional football club community organisations (CCOs) also provide additional year-round support through Premier League Kicks.
This includes offering mentoring, life-skills advice and access to opportunities such as volunteering and social action to help aid personal development.
Premier League Kicks began in 2006. Since then, more than 550,000 young people have participated in Premier League Kicks football and multi-sport sessions delivered by 93 Premier League, English Football League and National League sides. More than one million hours of sessions have been delivered across England and Wales.
To date, the Premier League has invested more than £91.7 million in Premier League Kicks through the Premier League Charitable Fund.
Visit premierleague.com for more information.
