In September 2023, the Cymru Football Foundation opened a brand-new small-sided 3G at Ystradgynlais Community Centre through a £200,000 grant.
The site in South Powys – a pair of concrete tennis courts – was crying out for some much-needed tender, love and care.
Through our Fit-for-Future Facilities programme, the development and upgrade of the tennis courts into a small-sided 3G pitch has given the local community a facility to be proud of.
What had once been tired, unused courts has become a state-of-the-art 3G facility and a pitch to withstand the Welsh weather.
The Coalfields Regeneration Trust has been hosting weekly Game On sessions at the facility since it re-opened.
Seren – initially a participant at the sessions – has made huge strides and progressed into becoming one of the key figures that makes the programme what it is today.
Every Tuesday night, 25-30 local teenagers participate in the free sessions offering accessible, recreational football opportunities that promote physical activity and reduce anti-social behaviour.
Coaching on a high-quality pitch has boosted her confidence, given her leadership skills, and helped her see a future in community sport.
“I used to be the most unsociable person ever.
“Then my confidence grew, my management skills have improved because I knew what I needed to do and when I needed to step in. It shows how far I’ve come.
“Now I’m looking to have my own team – I want to be leading them and I want to be the one they look up to.
For the village, the impact runs even deeper. The 3G pitch has given young people a safe place to gather, stay active, and feel part of something positive. It’s brought the community together and increased participation in both grassroots and recreational football.
“Where we live, there’s a lot of people walking around and I can tell it impacts them because they’re not sat in the house and they’re not doing stuff they shouldn’t be on the streets.
“The boys come every week – so I know where they are, their parents know where they are and everyone knows they’re safe.”
What began as two disused tennis courts has grown into a story of opportunity, resilience, and the power of giving a community the facilities they deserve.
“It feels like another part of my family – it’s like another home when I come up here.”
Established in 1999, the Coalfields Regeneration Trust is a community wealth building charity operating in Britain’s coalfield areas.
Using their profits to generate social value, the charity works with partners to enable communities across the U.K to reach their full potential.
