Fochriw children celebrate with new MUGA

Joining the celebrations were the Fochriw Welfare Community Partnership, who had worked hard with Amy to obtain the funding for the project as part of the Communities First programme.

As well as both playing rugby for Wales, Rhys and Amy have something else in common: they grew up in the same street in Abercynon and attended the same school. Official guests at the launch included the Leader of CCBC, Cllr Harry Andrews and the Cabinet member for Lifelong Learning, Cllr David Hardacre, as well as the local primary school choir who gave a performance of songs and joined in the fun and sports activities on offer before enjoying the buffet. All the local children received free gifts from the Community Partnership to mark the occasion.

The Fochriw Welfare and Community Partnership assessed the need for a MUGA facility and sought funding from a variety of sources. The bid was a huge success and they received £100,000 from the Welsh Assembly Government, Communities Facilities and Activities Programme; a further £100,000 from the Welsh Assembly Government, Communities First Capacity Building Fund; £30,000 from the Caerphilly Key Fund (Objective One) and £35,000 from the Heads of the Valley Programme for a car-park adjacent to the MUGA.

Chairman of the Fochriw Welfare Community Partnership, Mr Phil Duggan said, ” I am very proud to have been part of a group who delivered this much-needed facility to Fochriw”.

The MUGA forms part of the Partnership’s local action plan under the Communities First programme. Completed projects include environmental improvements along the old railway line and setting up a Food Co-op. The Partnership is currently trying to obtain funding for a major set of environmental improvements to the village. Another key objective is an extension to the Fochriw Community Centre, in order to provide additional computer technology and educational training facilities in the community.