Persimmon Homes West Wales region donation for South Wales football club’s inclusion team

Persimmon Homes West Wales region has donated £2,000 to Margam FC’s Inclusion Stags squad.

Persimmon Homes West Wales made the donation as part of its Community Champions scheme which sees £48,000 donated to good causes and much-valued organisations across Wales each year, presenting the cheque to the team at an event marking its seventh birthday.

The Stags bring together young people of varying ability and challenges to play football in an encouraging environment, building confidence and above all, making them feel part of something special. The philosophy of the club is to enable everyone to build friendships for life.

The team was created by John Heycock to open the world of football to more children. Together with his wife Katie and a team of volunteer coaches – many of whom are parents of disabled young people themselves – they developed an inclusive squad offering for young footballers.

Starting with a small group of only six children in 2019, the club has grown over the years with over 60 young people regularly attending sessions. The club supports children with various needs from autism and cerebral palsy to global delay and chromosomal disorders.

The Stags recently launched a senior training session for Over 16s in response to increasing demand, allowing young people growing up with the club to play with their friends. For many, this is their only social activity of the week and essential for their physical and mental health.

They compete in Inclusion Football Leagues and Tournaments promoting inclusion sport and participation for all. It’s Under 16s team just won the South Wales Pan Disability Football League for the second consecutive year and also the All-Wales National Inclusion tournament in Aberystwyth earlier this year.

Other recent local winners of Persimmon’s Community Champions scheme include Llangynwyd Primary School, Llangynwyd Rangers FC, and Ysgol Maes y Coed.

The accredited five-star developer’s West Wales business has sites across the region, with high-quality homes for sale in Carmarthen, Gorseinon, Llanilid, Pembrey, and Saundersfoot.

Commenting, Persimmon Homes West Wales’ sales director, Sharon Bouhali, said:

“Persimmon is very happy to support Margam FC Inclusion Stags. The work of the team’s leadership should be commended for going to the extra mile to ensure that all children have the chance to play the sport they love for the club at the heart of their community.

“As a developer who has brought much-needed, high-quality homes to Margam, Port Talbot, and the wider area in the past – with plans for more in the future – it is important to us to back excellent initiatives like this that provide a valuable service, for our past and future customers.”

John Heycock, founder of Margam FC’s Inclusion Stags, added:

“A huge thank you from all of us at the Inclusion Stags – from coaches, parents, and players – to Persimmon for their generous donation. We really value this support as it allows us to continue catering for young people in Margam and giving them opportunities they otherwise would have to miss out on. Everyone at the club loves doing what we do and this will only help us do more.”