The Football Association of Wales’s (FAW’s)‘Football Welcomes Refugees Cymru Conference’ highlights the power of football to create a welcoming space for refugees.
On the 9th April 2025, the FAW proudly hosted the inaugural Football Welcomes Refugees Cymru Conference, a landmark event bringing together organisations, clubs, community leaders, and individuals to explore how football can play a vital role in creating inclusive, welcoming spaces for refugees and people seeking sanctuary.
Held at the Cardiff City Stadium, the conference formed part of the FAW’s ongoing commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and its support for refugee inclusion through football. The day featured a range of interactive sessions, inspiring discussions, and powerful personal stories that showcased how football can act as a bridge between communities.
The day began with a welcome address from Jane Hutt MS, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, who reaffirmed the Welsh Government’s dedication to supporting people seeking sanctuary and praised the role football plays in building cohesive communities.
This was followed by a powerful keynote from Maeve Patterson of UNHCR, who provided a global overview of the refugee situation, highlighting the scale of displacement worldwide and the need for solidarity, compassion, and inclusive action at both local and international levels.
A central highlight of the conference was the panel discussion titled “A Home on the Pitch: Football’s Role in Welcoming Refugees.” The conversation brought together voices from refugee support organisations, community football initiatives, and local government to discuss the challenges faced by refugees and the opportunities football offers to foster belonging, connection, and empowerment.
Throughout the day, participants engaged in a series of practical workshops, and the day closed with attendees reflecting on key takeaways, sharing their own experiences, and providing feedback on how football in Wales can continue to grow as a welcoming space for all.
The FAW remains committed to working with partners to break down barriers, promote participation, and ensure that football is a game for everyone, regardless of background or status. The Football Welcomes Refugees Cymru initiative is just one example of how the FAW is driving forward its vision for a more inclusive and connected football community across the country.
Jason Webber, FAW Senior Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Sustainability Manager said: “Football has the power to create belonging, break down social barriers, and offer hope. This conference has shown how much potential there is when organisations come together with a shared commitment to inclusion. We’re proud to be part of building a game and a society where everyone is welcome.”
This conference was made possible through funding from the UEFA Refugee Grant Programme, which supports national associations across Europe in using football as a tool for the inclusion of refugees in society.
To learn more about the FAW’s work with refugees, visit https://faw.cymru/pawb/football-welcomes-refugees/
Football Welcomes Refugee Conference Video
