Category Archives: Football
Swansea Beach Soccer Tournament 2016
UID FC took part in the beach soccer on Sunday and put in a very good performance. Out of the seven games played we won 5, drew 1 and lost 1.
The results were;
An excellent run of results which saw UID scoring 15 goals whilst conceding only 4. The only defeat was by a single goal against quick young opposition in a very even game, which was not decided until the very late goal.
A very different day for the team as the loose sand surfaces were very demanding. This was best reflected by the comments regarding pitch size ending after the first match. The conditions taking their toll as players had to pull out injured. Those players who did make it to the end showed great character to keep going as the squad reduced in size to leave only one substitute available for the last game. It was most pleasant to be reminded that the team had said they would win the last three games after the one defeat after the final match. A final game with a very fitting and satisfying come from behind win against opponents who fought for every single ball.
Typically there was some concern whether we would have a team or not as the morning saw the continuation of the grey low clouds and drizzle which have replaced summer this year. It was important to get a team out there and to play with purpose. There were one or two absentees from the early player lists so we were lucky to have enough players in the end.
Thanks and congratulations go to the whole team! I hope that our players now rest and recover so we can put in some training sessions before our match in Talgarth in two weeks time. We have proved we can play and win against a variety of opponents today, so lets get ourselves prepared, then we can go to Talgarth and win too.
UiD FC Vs Wales Supporters XI – Great Game!
Today’s match against Wales Supporters XI was a very exciting affair. Well done to everyone who found the venue and for playing and standing around in the cold. We may have lost 11-1 but our spirits are not dampened. We are very proud of our team and you look fantastic in in the UiD kit.
An excellent fun day out – THANK YOU
A word from Martin the coach.
UID FC 1 WALES SUPPORTERS TRUST XI 11
Thanks to all who helped make this possible. To the UID volunteers who helped with transport, to our many supporters who came to watch on a cold windy day. Special thanks to Exotica Foods (St.Helens rd) for their kind donation of our half time oranges. Thanks to all our players who kept going throughout the game.
Sadly plans were changed by late arrivals and a couple of players who did not even make it to the ground. UID were unable to field their strongest team. Many of the problems in the first half were caused by the lack of organisation due to players in unfamiliar roles. Whilst some individual skills stood out, far too often the Wales XI found themselves with time and space. Their shooting was first class and they scored some great long range goals. Chances were missed for UID which might have seen a closer scoreline had calmness prevailed at the right moment. A little more power and a little more accuracy was needed up front. UID did look dangerous when they could move the ball in attacking areas but shots were well covered by the Wales XI defence.
A 0 – 5 half time scoreline saw some changes of personnel for UID with much of the midfield changed.
The second half saw improvement from UID as they enjoyed more possession. The Wales supporters XI continued to give a lesson in finishing as they continued to add to their goal tally. Dimbar finally managed to score for UID and it signalled a period when the team spent longer on the ball as their opponents tired. For all their pressure it was not to be as the Wales XI defense drew tighter and worked hard to close down. Some good passing combinations particularly down the left for UID showed signs that the team had stabilised but all too late. It must however be noted that the players kept going til the very end and were complimented on their character by the triumphant Wales supportes XI. The final stages showed what might have been if the right players had been available as the majority of possession was with UID. A defeat from which lessons must be taken.
Finally thanks to our supporters who came along to cheer our team. It was great to see so many of you there. We will do better in the next one.
Appeal for volunteer football coaches @ UiD FC
Owing to growing popularity of UiD FC we now have large numbers of people showing up and playing at our training sessions and matches.
Our coach is very concerned that with the large numbers attending people may not get as much out of it as they’d like. He is asking for help/support.
This is an ideal opportunity for someone with an interest in meeting people from diverse cultures and football coaching.
We have 2 training sessions a week, 2 hours on a Sunday and 2 hours on a Wednesday evening
If you or anyone you know is interested in football coaching and its benefits/social outcomes for this group of people please contact the UiD coach, Martin.
email: martiansparks@gmail.com
phone: 07932 400995
Additionally, we’d be very grateful for donations of any football equipment whatsoever also.
Well played UiD FC!
Saturday saw our second official game against another side, The Swansea Panthers.
It was an excellent turnout for our team with lots of players eager to have a go.
Many thanks to those that came along and played so hard/well against this long established team.
Great Players – Great Fun!
Our training sessions are well established now with lots of people enjoying getting together on Sundays AND Wednesdays now. Following our match with Swansea university staff we are focussed on developing our game and having regular healthy fun as a team.
Stay tuned for news of playing other teams soon.
Unity in Diversity Football Training – Flyer-Map-Info
*all photos are shared with express permission of those pictured.
Good weather makes for great games
We are very happy to say that the football training sessions are in full swing now. The improving weather means we are getting high numbers which makes for more fun!!
Please remember that EVERYONE is welcome to join us.
UiD FC football training
Wednesdays 5pm to 7pm.
Sundays 2pm to 4pm.
Hafod Park Swansea – SA5 9LE
Please see our gallery below for recent pictures.
IMPORTANT UPDATE!! UiD Football Club Vs Swansea Uni staff team
So we are now preparing for our first football match with a Swansea university staff team and we’re all very excited!
The match is 5pm on an ASTRO-TURF pitch on Monday 30th next to Wales National Pool (SA2 8QG).
WE CAN NOT PLAY IN FOOTBALL BOOTS! PLEASE WEAR TRAINERS!
PLEASE BE THERE AT 4.30PM!!
Unity in Diversity Vs Swansea University staff – Our first match!!!
BREAKING NEWS!!! UiD FC has been kindly invited to play a Swansea University staff team at warm-ups for the University Varsity event. The match will be at 5pm on Monday 30th March at the football grounds next to the Wales national pool Swansea. Postcode – SA2 8EE (see map below). This is very exciting for us as it presents an opportunity to get the team properly started, to give the players the experience of playing as part of a team and to understand how we function effectively together. An excellent chance to be seen and to share the fun, healthy and inclusive nature of our team. We remind you that everyone is welcome to join us at training sessions held at Hafod park on Sundays 2pm to 4pm. If you have an interest in friendships across diverse cultures and developing your game please join us. Full info on UiD training sessions here: Unity in Diversity Football Training – Flyer-Map-Info Monday’s match to be played here:
7 – 6 to the Blues!!!!
Note: All photos are shared with express permission of ALL those pictured.
A very encouraging start to our recently revived football activities with 19 people playing. With our kind volunteers Martin (the coach) and Christelle, plus Lazlo and myself we were 25 happy souls enjoying a healthy afternoon’s activities.
UiD FC used to meet at the Recreation ground on Mumbles road but due to occasional events such as the Netherlands’ National Circus we rethought the location and decided to use the wonderful public provision of Hafod Park (SA5 9LE). This is much closer to many people’s homes and isn’t as busy as the Rec.
We are interested in how successfully everybody found the park. This ties in with our development of a digital directory that puts locations and details of help available in the hands of not only practitioners supporting this group but actually in to the hands of the people themselves. One gentleman showed me his smartphone and demonstrated how the Google map app had led him straight to the park – with a route from where he was! A task for our volunteers at the UiD group will be to collect info on what devices people use, to identify and recognise how well this is done as well as giving us the opportunity to plan workshops around improving skills needed.
We are hoping that as the weekly activity (Sundays 2pm to 4pm) develops we can extend welcome to families who can make use of the many different things available at the park. As the weather improves we can expect a table, chairs, juice etc to appear.
A word from our coach:
We are very pleased to see such an enthusiastic turnout. We are hoping that the improving weather allows us to dedicate more time to improve our technical ability and hone our clearly existing skills. I am confident that the people coming can give the needed commitment for us to grow in to a functional team – look out Chelsea! We’re coming to get you.
Football is Back!!
Very happy to say that the weather is getting better and with it comes the return of the UiD football training sessions that are kindly facilitated by Martin, our FA qualified volunteer football coach.
Running on Sundays 2:00pm to 4:00pm The Unity in Diversity Football Club promotes and celebrates fun, friendship and healthy active participation. Thanks to Martin, our FA qualified football coach we strive to improve our football skills. We welcome anyone with an interest in friendships across diverse cultures and the development of their game.
Looking forward to seeing everyone there. Please remember that it is important to arrive at 2pm so that training can be finished leaving time for a decent game.
Please feel free to download, print and share our flyer/poster
Unity in Diversity Football Training – Poster-Map-Info
Unity in Diversity 