Gôl Centres Cardiff was proud to host Street Football Wales' biggest ever Women's Inclusion Five-a-Side Tournament on Saturday 8 November, welcoming over 100 players, volunteers, and supporters for a landmark day celebrating diversity, wellbeing, and the power of football to change lives.
Delivered by Street Football Wales (SFW) and funded by the Welsh Government through the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 Partner Support Fund, the tournament brought together women and non-binary participants from across the country, supported by volunteers and allies of all genders. The event formed part of SFW's long-term commitment to creating safe, inclusive football environments that build confidence, connection, and belonging.
Teams travelled from as far as Northern Ireland, with Street Soccer Northern Ireland joining the competition and taking home the Fair Play Award. Cardiff 62s lifted the Cup, while Titws Taf secured the Plate after a strong showing throughout the day.
Students from the University of South Wales Football Coaching course supported the tournament, helping create a vibrant atmosphere and ensuring the day ran smoothly both on and off the pitch.
One of the standout moments came as Army veteran and former Homeless World Cup player Mark Atkinson was presented with the Community Champion Award for his refereeing and continued service to the SFW community. Mark shared his story with players, reflecting on how football and SFW had helped him rebuild confidence and rediscover purpose.
A lunchtime panel chaired by Kelly Davies — former Wales international, Chair of the Cymru Football Foundation, and Ashoka UK Leader — provided an insight into the transformative impact of SFW's work. Contributors included:
- Megan Tinley (Haverfordwest), who represented Wales at the Street Football Euros in Switzerland this summer, speaking about her first steps into football and how the programme has supported her wellbeing.
- Tor Planner, Co-Captain of Wales' Homeless World Cup squad in Oslo, who shared her journey through mental health challenges and described the non-judgemental support offered by SFW as “fantastic”.
- Jo Price, former Wales international and SFW Project Officer, encouraging participants to be their “authentic selves” and to set one clear, achievable goal for the months ahead.
The event also featured a mass warm-up led by Strength and Wellbeing Coach Rebecca Williams, music from DJ Reba Kimber, and an awareness stand delivered by Breast Cancer Now. Wales' Homeless World Cup co-captain and breast cancer survivor Marie Tilley urged players to “check your breasts and chests”, highlighting the role that football and community support played in her own recovery.
SFW Interim Director Bethan Thomas reflected on a powerful day at Gôl:
This tournament was the perfect celebration of what's been an incredible year for women's football at Street Football Wales. Our players have represented Wales internationally, made history in the Homeless World Cup, and grown in confidence every week. Seeing that same spirit here today — people supporting each other, laughing together, playing together — it's what makes this community so special. You should never underestimate the power of football to bring people together and change lives. Now, we want to build on this momentum and take our women's inclusion work even further.
Bethan Thomas, Street Football Wales Interim Director
Street Football Wales is now seeking partners and funders to help grow its Women's Inclusion Programme across Wales. Support is also invited through SFW's ongoing Crowdfunder, which aims to celebrate the Women's Homeless World Cup squad's record-breaking seventh-place finish and support the next team heading to the tournament: Seventh in the World — Give Our Heroes a Homecoming.
The Cardiff tournament is the first of two women's inclusion events funded through the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 Partner Support Fund. The second will take place in Haverfordwest on 14 December.
For more information about Street Football Wales, visit www.streetfootballwales.com or follow @StreetFootballWales on social media.
Updates straight from the Gôl Centres team in Cardiff and Newport — facilities, fixtures, and everything happening across the two centres.
