A COMMUNITY effort has helped re-establish a football club for youngsters in Meirionnydd.

Football has enjoyed a huge surge in popularity over the last few years, not least due to the Wales team’s heroics in the 2016 Euros and the Welsh women’s team narrowly missing out on qualification to the World Cup in France next year.

However, many youngsters in Dyffryn Ardudwy had no outlet to enjoy the “beautiful game” after their junior teams folded years ago.

Cllr Steffan Chambers, who sits on Dyffryn Ardudwy and Talybont Community Council, was one of several local people who wished to see children provided with more social activities, especially considering the swingeing cuts youth services in Gwynedd have undergone of late.

“In January this year a group of volunteers in Dyffryn Ardudwy came together to provide football sessions for boys and girls between the ages of 4-11. The long term aim was to enter a team or more than one team into the junior league,” explained Cllr Chambers, who served as student union president at Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor before he won his seat on the council.

“In our first session over 30 children turned up across all of the age groups and it was decided after a number of sessions we would attempt to reestablish the club.

“The junior football club was officially reestablished in May and the club has an under-6, under-8 and under-10 team registered with the North Wales Coast FA and the Llyn and Eifionydd League.

“The volunteers have worked tirelessly over the past few months and hundreds of pounds have been raised by the community through fund-raising events and no help from grants!

“With Gwynedd Council cutting children and youth services the people of Dyffryn and Talybont have showed their community spirit and given the children a chance to develop their skills and make new friends.”

Last week, a one-off friendly match was organised between Dyffryn and Talybont FC and Llanbedr FC with the team’s new kit, sponsored by local businesses, unveiled before kick-off.

“I believe that the volunteers, the children and indeed the community deserve recognition for the hard work that they have done since the beginning of the year,” continued Cllr Chambers, who acts as club chairman. “For a small village to have three junior teams is quite the achievement.”

If you are interested in supporting the club, or wish to play, please contact Cllr Chambers on [email protected]