Nestled in the gentle hills of North Wales, the small village of Pen-Y-Cae might seem quiet, but within this community there is a strong sense of pride in their football team. Pen-Y-Cae Football Club It is much more than just a team for its players. It is a place where youth teams come together, enjoying the sun, defying the wind and “facing” the rain to play the sport they love. For many, it is the opportunity to kick a ball, make friends and be part of a community that values fair play and team spirit. For every boy, the team jersey becomes a fundamental and indispensable ‘companion’ to feel part of something great.

The power of sport

Matt Wilcox leads the Under-8 team; a coach who is passionate about football and whose goal is to bring children to the field. Matt firmly believes in the power of sports to keep young people active, involved, and connected. For this reason, he came up with the idea of giving children the opportunity to make their mark on the team. By collaborating with Macron Sports Hub Wrexham, Known for his commitment to supporting the local community, he launched a unique competition: to design a new uniform for the Under-8 team. The winning design would be professionally produced and printed by Macron Sports Hub Wrexham.“After receiving the new Home jersey, together with Andy from Macron Sports Hub Wrexham, we thought it would be a great thing to involve the players in designing one of the other kits. – said the coach – I think that children should be creative and that it is right to encourage them to express themselves not only on the football field, but also in other aspects of their lives.”.

The club as a container of the values of an entire community

“Football plays a fundamental role in a child’s life. It means a place of fun, discipline and friendship. The children who come to us build friendships and create a very united and solid group. – explains coach Wilcox – The history of our club stems precisely from being able to lay the foundations for the games of the youngest, train coaches who share the values of the club, which is supported by tireless volunteers who work to ensure that every boy feels part of the community.”. In the words of the coach of Pen-Y-Cae FC, there is an enthusiasm for the sporting project of this club that aims to make every child and every parent feel part of something great.“Our community, our club, our Cae. More than just a club”

The simplicity of a drawing, the power of a message

Many responded to Wilcox’s proposal to design a jersey for the team, and in the end it was Tess’s project as a young player on the team that won.“We didn't have a grey uniform and I liked the colors of the stripes. Each color represents the different types of players on our team, because we are all different.. ". – commented Tess – I am proud that my design was chosen and that my classmates will wear it with joy.”. In the simplicity of the design by Tess, a powerful message is conveyed: on the grey background of the jersey, the stripes symbolize the skills of each player and the personalities of all teammates: a whole that forms a single unit. A vision that Macron Sports Hub Wrexham has turned into reality, creating a uniform exactly as he had imagined it.

The pride of being part of a team
For Tess, the fact that her teammates are wearing a jersey created by her makes her very proud. “I feel like a valued member of the team, but what matters is the group. – said Tess – We are all good friends, we work together and we give the best of ourselves for each other. The club means a lot to me and I am happy that it is part of my life.”. The competition achieved an important result, because it sparked the creativity of the children and strengthened the team spirit. Creating something to be proud of. An experience that brought the community even closer together.

The importance of a sensitive partner

Macron Sports Hub Wrexham proved to be a fundamental and particularly sensitive partner in this project, supporting Pen-Y-Cae FC at every stage. Macron It will continue to support the community and be an integral part of the club's future, with a desire to undertake new and exciting creative initiatives.