{"id":45872,"date":"2020-12-01T14:59:49","date_gmt":"2020-12-01T14:59:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=45872"},"modified":"2020-12-01T21:38:20","modified_gmt":"2020-12-01T21:38:20","slug":"caerau-ely-afc-named-welsh-community-club-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2020\/12\/01\/caerau-ely-afc-named-welsh-community-club-of-the-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Caerau Ely AFC named Welsh Community Club of the Year"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Club beats 500 others at the Football Association of Wales Grassroots Football Awards 2020.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Caerau Ely Football club has been named FAW Community Club of the Year in an internet-streamed awards ceremony. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The award comes just four and-a-half years after the minis and juniors\u2019 club was founded by Gareth West, 42, who identified a lack of opportunity for children in the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The club was recognised for its exceptional involvement in the local community out of 502 junior football clubs listed on the FAW\u2019s website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr West said: \u201cWe want to thank all our volunteers, coaches and community partners because without them this would not have been possible. We try and get involved in anything locally that will add value to the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2016, Caerau Ely AFC consisted of a men\u2019s 1st<\/sup> and reserve team. Today, the club runs sessions for almost every age group, females of any age, children with disabilities, veterans, minority groups, walking football sessions for people with limited mobility and free community sessions every week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s about breaking down barriers and making it possible for people to join in,” Mr West said. “We would never turn a child down based on financial circumstances.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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