The partnership between Lesotho’s Kick4Life (K4L) and the Wrexham AFC Foundation has received fresh impetus following a learning exchange visit by a delegation from North Wales aimed at strengthening youth development through football, education and cultural exchange.
The visit, held last week under the Twinning Goals project funded by the Union of European Football Association (UEFA) Foundation for Children, brought together coaches and staff from both organisations to share experiences, exchange coaching techniques and explore ways of using sport to equip young people with essential life skills.
The delegation comprised Megan Buckley, Abby Hollway, Gareth Williams and Elgan Williams from the Wrexham AFC Foundation, alongside Sara Hilton from Wrexham University.
University representative Hilton used the visit to conduct research into Kick4Life’s new Youth Employability Programme and examine the use of Sesotho and English in the workplace. The research further strengthens the partnership, which recently saw Kick4Life student-athlete Kabelo Ngatane begin a scholarship at Wrexham University.
UEFA Foundation for Children representative Matej Sršen also joined the delegation for two days to gain insight into Kick4Life’s approach to working with children and young people.
The session provided an opportunity for participants to share their daily routines, experiences and aspirations, offering insight into the challenges and opportunities faced by young people and sports development practitioners in Lesotho and Wales.
The exchange placed particular emphasis on the role of football in promoting health education, teamwork, communication and personal development.
Coaches from both organisations conducted health education sessions, allowing participants to observe different coaching methods and share practical ideas on integrating life skills into football activities.
Hollway also facilitated a healthy eating workshop incorporated into a football session, demonstrating how sporting activities can be used to educate young people about healthy lifestyle choices.
One of the highlights of the visit was a Life in the Day session held on Tuesday evening, which brought together Kick4Life student-athletes Moiketsi Selemo and Hlompho Lets’oara with Wrexham AFC Foundation representatives Buckley and Hollway.
The school visit extended the exchange beyond the Kick4Life Centre, highlighting the potential of combining sport and education to encourage healthier lifestyles and positive youth development.
The session provided an opportunity for participants to share their daily routines, experiences and aspirations, offering insight into the challenges and opportunities faced by young people and sports development practitioners in Lesotho and Wales.
Selemo and Lets’oara discussed how they balance football, education and other responsibilities, while their counterparts shared their experiences working with young people in Wrexham.
Meanwhile, the visiting coaches’ practical approach left a positive impression on Kick4Life staff, including Life skills coach and engagement Officer trainee Seabata Tsemane, who participated throughout the exchange and delivered sessions alongside the delegation.
Tsemane said working with the visiting coaches had provided valuable lessons that he intended to apply in his own coaching.
“Working alongside the Wrexham coaches was immensely rewarding because I learned so many skills from their sessions. Their enthusiasm and passion were inspiring and I hope to bring that same energy and attitude into my sessions at Kick4Life,” he said.
He added that he was particularly impressed by how the coaches incorporated teamwork and communication into football activities, enabling participants to develop skills applicable both on and off the pitch.
Although the two organisations shared similar approaches, Tsemane said the exchange had introduced new ideas that could strengthen Kick4Life’s programmes.
The delegation also visited Thetsane High School on Wednesday, where healthy eating activities and other sessions were conducted alongside Kick4Life and Wrexham staff.
The school visit extended the exchange beyond the Kick4Life Centre, highlighting the potential of combining sport and education to encourage healthier lifestyles and positive youth development.
Safeguarding was another important area of discussion, with the two organisations examining Lesotho’s safeguarding legislation and requirements before comparing them with Wrexham’s reporting procedures and approaches to protecting young people in sport.
The discussions emphasised the importance of creating safe and inclusive sporting environments where children understand their rights and know where to seek assistance when necessary.
Beyond football and professional development, the delegation also experienced Lesotho’s cultural and natural attractions through visits to Thaba Bosiu and Malealea.
The group explored the mountain region and enjoyed a four-hour pony trek and a visit to a waterfall on Friday, providing an opportunity to experience the country’s heritage and strengthen relationships outside formal programme activities.
Wrexham AFC Foundation representative Hollway said the similarities between Lesotho and Wales had been a highlight of the visit.
“It’s been really good to see how similar Lesotho is to Wales,” she said.
The delegation returned to Kick4Life on Friday afternoon for a reflection session and farewell dinner with the organisation’s Community Programmes team before departing early on Saturday morning.
The visit brought together practical coaching, school-based activities, safeguarding discussions and cultural experiences, reinforcing the role of international partnerships in sharing knowledge and improving youth development programmes.
The partnership is expected to continue with a planned return visit to Wrexham by a Kick4Life delegation in 2027, also under the Twinning Goals project funded by the UEFA Foundation for Children.
The next exchange is expected to build on the relationships established during the Lesotho visit and further strengthen collaboration between the two organisations in using football and education to create opportunities for young people in Lesotho and Wales.
Summary
- The session provided an opportunity for participants to share their daily routines, experiences and aspirations, offering insight into the challenges and opportunities faced by young people and sports development practitioners in Lesotho and Wales.
- One of the highlights of the visit was a Life in the Day session held on Tuesday evening, which brought together Kick4Life student-athletes Moiketsi Selemo and Hlompho Lets’oara with Wrexham AFC Foundation representatives Buckley and Hollway.
A passionate and dedicated journalism practitioner with an interest in telling stories that inform, educate and give people a voice.
Committed to producing credible and meaningful journalism while continuously improving research, writing and communication skills. Eager to learn from experienced media professionals, take on new challenges and grow into a well-rounded journalist who makes a positive contribution to society through responsible reporting.
