The Sports Council for Wales is encouraging youngsters in Torfaen to face the recession head on by investing in a project to not only get them on the pitch but also on the jobs ladder.

Through £1000 from the Sports Council’s Community Chest scheme, the Cwmbran Centre for Young People is establishing an U18 football team, which will get Cwmbran’s youngsters going for goal on the pitch whilst developing the essential skills needed to get them into employment when the whistle blows.

David Schofield, Cwmbran Centre for Young People’s Centre Manager, explains:

"Community Chest allowed us to run a similar project seven years ago with great success. Not only did the grant keep 25 boys from Cwmbran playing football and keeping fit, it has also helped give them the motivation, skills and perseverance to get and hold down a job and stay out of trouble. This new grant will start to support a new group of young lads who are in a similar position."

The National Lottery cash will be injected into training up three of the teams members into qualified coaches, with a view to them eventually running the team in the future.

Essential equipment and an initial coach will also be provided through the Community Chest cash.

Schofield continues:

"These activities have meant a great deal to the centre, not only does it give the opportunity for boys to participate in sporting activities it gives them a focus. Other young people take an interest and watch them play, younger boys look up to them and aim to play for the sides in the future. It’s not just about a football team it is about attitude, training, fitness, motivation and qualifications for young people who wouldn’t normally have these opportunities."

Community Chest, which is celebrating its 10^th anniversary this year, is a National Lottery grant managed by the Sports Council for Wales and supported locally by Torfaen County Borough Council. It is designed to encourage more people to become more physically active, more often.

Chair of the Sports Council for Wales, Philip Carling, said:

"Community Chest has been and continues to be a huge success and is very popular throughout Torfaen. Over the last ten years, it has made a big difference to small community projects right across Wales and now embraces all sorts of community groups such as the Women’s Institute, not just your local football club."

"Panels based in each of the 22 local authorities in Wales hold the purse strings and have delegated authority to award grants to worthwhile projects. We want to hear of bright ideas and projects that will get more people in Torfaen more active, more often."

After a decade’s worth of investment totalling over £9million, the Sports Council for Wales and the National Lottery are celebrating the successes of community groups and sports clubs that have flourished through unlocking Community Chest funding.

Since its inception in 1999, communities across the length and breadth of Wales have been investing heavily in sports and physical activity projects.

Organisations keen to develop sport and physical activity in Wales can receive up to £1000 for a qualifying project over a 12 month period.

Contact your Sports Council for Wales regional office to get your project going:

South East Wales: 0845 045 0904

South West Wales: 0845 045 0906

North Wales: 0845 045 0908