Kilgetty AFC held a series of Fair Trade Football activities at their club and in the local community during Fairtrade Fortnight.

With a theme of ‘Do It Fair’, Kilgetty AFC kicked off their Fairtrade Fortnight activities by visiting St Aidan’s School, organised by Kilgetty Women’s players and coaches Danielle Cheshire–Davies and Sharron Hardwick, founder of the Fair Trade In Football Campaign. The whole school participated in an interactive assembly, followed by some fun Bala Sport Fair Trade football activities.

Building on positive community connections, Sharron revisited Stepaside CP School and Tavernspite CP, where pupils learned about the impact that Fairtrade has on workers and producers, with Stepaside pupils taking part in Fair Trade Football activities.

Kilgetty AFC Girls’ first home games saw two Under 11s Girls Kilgetty teams and one Under 13s Girls team play matches with the Bala Sport Team Fair Trade footballs. Kilgetty Under 9s mixed team, Under 13s and 14s Girls’ teams played fun games with the giant Bala Sport Fairtrade Football in training too, with men’s and women’s senior teams trialling Bala Club Match Footballs.

All of the football activities were played with Bala Sport Fair Trade Footballs. Bala Sport works with Pakistan-based Fairtrade Certified manufacturer Bola Gema. Bala CIC was founded on the principle of ensuring a fair deal, safe working conditions and a better life for the men and women who make the Bala Sport balls. The company aims to help the workers secure a brighter future for themselves and their families.

In addition to this, each Bala Sport ball sold pays a 15 per cent Fairtrade Premium. This premium is used by Bala’s partners in Pakistan to provide discounted groceries for their workers.

Kilgetty AFC expressed thanks to the schools and teams taking part and hosting the Fairtrade Fortnight Community Activities.

Sharron, who is also Kilgetty AFC Community Officer, said: “I am very thankful for Kilgetty AFC’s commitment to community and fairness, and to the schools for supporting Fairtrade and Fair Trade in football.

“Their partnership with the Fair Trade In Football Campaign and use of Bala Sport Fairly Traded footballs is giving young people the opportunity to play fun and fair football whilst helping to raise awareness, whilst providing a fair deal for football workers who are often forgotten, without whom the game would not exist!”

For more information on Bala Sport or to purchase Fair Trade Footballs, visit www.balasport.co.uk

Fair Trade In Football Campaign Information at: www.fairtradeinfootball.com

Follow Kilgetty AFC on Facebook or visit www.kilgettyafc.co.uk, contact [email protected]