A series of football sessions are underway for children with additional learning needs on Saturday mornings at Sir Thomas Picton Sports Centre, Haverfordwest.

Football sessions for children with additional learning needs are running as the result of a partnership between Sport Pembrokeshire, Pembrokeshire Leisure, Swansea City in the Community and the FAW Trust.

Sarah Owens, community coach for Sport Pembrokeshire, devised four sessions of fun football to the Primary School Learning Recourse Centres in Pembrokeshire, which was funded by Swansea City in the Community.

This was followed with all pupils attending a fun football festival at Tenby Leisure Centre earlier this year. The FAW Trust have assisted with funding to run the new Soccer School for children with additional learning needs from age 7-12 years. It is hoped that if sufficient numbers attend, the programme will become a permanent offer by Pembrokeshire Leisure.

Local Fairtrade football campaigner, Sharron Hardwick, heard about the ALN football sessions and was eager to support: “The Fair Trade In Football Campaign is keen to see that everyone who wants to play football has the chance to do so, that’s why what Angela and Sarah are doing is so important.

“Their training and football activities give young people access to play football in a fun and safe environment, to gain confidence, make friends and learn new skills whilst keeping fit.

“When I met Sarah and Angela earlier this year I wanted to get involved and thanks to support from the Wales Council For Voluntary Action grant scheme I was able to buy two bags of Fairtrade footballs for the group.”

Fairtrade footballs bear the Fairtrade mark and are stitched by workers who are guaranteed a fairer deal, with safe working conditions

no forced or child labour. The extra money received for the sale of each Fairtrade sports ball, the Fairtrade Premium, goes directly to the community to provide whatever they need.

To date, Fairtrade Football Premiums have paid for a community water filtration system, free eye camps where workers, no matter what their position, get free eye tests and subsidised glasses, school equipment, a fair price shop, free work transport and more.

In addition to the Soccer Schools, the Fairtrade balls will be used across Pembrokeshire in the various ALN football activities for children.

Angela Miles, the disability sports officer for Pembrokeshire, said: “We are delighted to receive the additional support of Fairtrade footballs from Fair Trade In Football Campaign, which has enabled each child to have a ball when they attend the session.”

Sarah Owens, who is an experienced coach for Sport Pembrokeshire, was pleased to receive the two bags of Fairtrade Bala Sport Team and Play footballs, saying: “The fair trade footballs are amazing and the bags are brilliant quality too!”

Sessions are held on Saturday mornings from 9 am to 9.45 am at Sir Thomas Picton Sports Centre Sports Hall, Haverfordwest. Children aged 7-12 years are invited to take part. The cost is £3 for registered users and £2.50 for loyalty members.