Street Football Wales Hosts Record-Breaking Women’s Inclusion Tournament in Cardiff
Over 100 players, volunteers, and supporters came together at the Gôl Centre in Cardiff on Saturday 8 November for Street Football Wales’ largest-ever Women’s Inclusion Five-a-Side Tournament, celebrating diversity, community, 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 event welcomed women and non-binary participants from across Wales, alongside supporters and volunteers of all genders.
Street Soccer Northern Ireland joined the weekend, taking home the Fair Play Award and sharing, “our girls had the best time.”
The Cup was won by Cardiff 62s, with Titws Taf taking the Plate. Volunteers from the University of South Wales Football Coaching course supported the day, helping to create a vibrant, inclusive atmosphere.
Army veteran and former SFW and Homeless World Cup player Mark Atkinson received the Community Champion Award for his time refereeing the tournament. Mark shared his reflections from his experiences with SFW, speaking about how football has helped him rebuild confidence and purpose.
A lunchtime panel chaired by Kelly Davies, former Wales international footballer, Chair of the Cymru Football Foundation, and Ashoka UK Leader, featured powerful stories from across the SFW community:
- Megan Tinley (Haverfordwest), who represented Wales at the Street Football Euros in Switzerland this summer. Before joining SFW, Megan had never played football. She shared how the programme has helped her build confidence and improve her wellbeing.
- Tor Planner, Co-Captain of Wales’ Homeless World Cup team in Oslo, spoke about her journey through mental health struggles, saying: “I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for that first session and having the guts to get myself there. The last two years have been really tough. I’ve been through a lot and street football has really helped me build myself back up. The support you get through the coaches and the other players in a non-judgemental way — it’s fantastic.”
- Jo Price, former Wales international, SFW Project Officer and Head Coach of the Women’s Homeless World Cup squad, encouraged players to “be their authentic selves” and set one achievable goal for the months ahead.
The day also included a mass warm-up led by Strength and Wellbeing Coach Rebecca Williams, music from DJ Reba Kimber, and an awareness stand from Breast Cancer Now, supported by Marie Tilley — Wales’ Homeless World Cup co-captain, breast cancer survivor, and documentary subject. Marie led an impassioned plea for participants to be vigilant and “check your breasts and chests”, sharing how football and the SFW community were key parts of her recovery journey.
SFW Interim Director Bethan Thomas said:
“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 on international stages, made history in the Homeless World Cup, and grown in confidence and strength 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.”
Street Football Wales is now calling for partners and funders to help grow its Women’s Inclusion Programme across Wales, reaching more people from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Supporters can also contribute to SFW’s ongoing Crowdfunder, helping to celebrate the Women’s Homeless World Cup team’s record-breaking 7th-place finish and kick-start the journey for the next squad here!
The Cardiff tournament is the first of two women’s inclusion events funded through the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 Partner Support Fund, with the second taking place in Haverfordwest on 14 December.
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