A new charity football league has been created which is hoped will attract teams from across South West Wales.

As well as raising funds for the Bluestone Foundation, it’s hoped it will engage more young people with sport and community activities.

Set up in 2010, the Bluestone Foundation was established by Bluestone National Park Resort to help people to help themselves through environmental, economic and social projects in Pembrokeshire and the surrounding areas.

The League was the brainchild of Ian Darbyshire, manager of the Blue Lagoon Water Park at Bluestone, after staff were encouraged to think of new ways to support the Foundation. It also followed a wellness drive at Bluestone, where staff were encouraged to take up activities such as netball, rugby, football and yoga, and which secured the business a silver award for the Welsh Government’s Corporate Health Standard.

“The aim of this proposal was to present an inimitable idea for the foundation,” said Ian.

“The ambition was to engage staff, raise money, increase awareness and allow Pembrokeshire people to assist in the movement of the foundation’s success. We felt this was all possible from this one idea, ‘The Bluestone Foundation League.’

“From the birth of ‘Bluestone AFC’, I started brainstorming for an innovative way to integrate awareness of the foundation whilst allowing staff to be part of an exciting movement.

“I thought it would be amazing to win something on behalf of Bluestone like a cup or a league. With the nature of the business, and staff not being able to commit to Saturday games and training once, maybe twice a week, this seemed just a distant thought until our first training session.”

Having created a poster for the staff communications brief to gauge interest in playing six-a-side, the team held its first session just two days later on January 25.

“Coincidently, that was the same day the communications brief was sent to staff, giving very little chance for word of mouth to work its magic.

“We met at 7 pm in Bloomfield’s Narberth, not expecting much.

“ To our amazement 10 Bluestone employees attended.

“The next week, 18 boys showed up and instantly we knew we were on to something good.”

It was from that initial idea that the league was born.

Since then, five teams have signed up, including Pendine, St. Clears, Narberth, Carew, West Dragons, as well as the newly-formed Bluestone AFC.

St. Clears AFC seconds manager Peter Griffiths, whose team entered the Pembrokeshire league for the 1965/66 season, said his team joined the Bluestone Foundation Resort League for the opportunity to play at a Welsh league pitch.

“That’s enough for most local clubs. Also to add that this is a brilliant initiative which saves club’s the hassle of arranging friendlies and raising money for a great charity.”

Since forming some 52 years ago, St. Clears has created an illustrious history throughout Pembrokeshire football with its fair shares of up’s and downs. St. Clears have claimed many league titles and have a cabinet full of silverware to show case their years of togetherness.

“Our hopes for the games ahead are simple: beat Pendine. We have had a very healthy rivalry for years with Pendine and as most will know it’s always a great watch and known as one of the best derby games around. It’s also good to test ourselves against very good sides, good preparation regardless of the results.”

Justin Blewitt, manager or Pendine AFC, an amateur football team which formed in the 1920s, said the club has been a member of the Pembrokeshire league for over 50 years.

“The club were more than happy to accept our invitation to the Bluestone league and help raise money for charity. It will also give us a chance to test ourselves against a number of teams from higher divisions and a possible the opportunity to play at the Bridge Meadow.

With a number of promising youngsters coming through, combined with a small number of more experienced team members, we are hopeful of a good showing in the competition and in our push for promotion in the forthcoming season.”