A groundbreaking international scholarship partnership between Wrexham University, Wrexham AFC Foundation and Kick4Life is set to transform lives of many youngsters in Lesotho through the power of football and education.
Launched on World Football Giving Day, the initiative will provide two young people from Kick4Life’s programmes in Lesotho with fully funded tuition opportunities to study in North Wales over the next four years.
The first beneficiary is 20-year-old Seabata Tsemane, who is expected to begin his studies in Wrexham in 2026. Organisers are currently raising funds to cover his travel and living expenses.
Seabata has received a conditional offer to join the Foundation Degree in Football and Community Development at Wrexham University, a two-year programme designed to combine football coaching, leadership training, community engagement and practical industry experience.
As part of the scholarship, he will also work closely with the Wrexham AFC Foundation, gain professional qualifications and participate in community development projects across North Wales.
For the young Mosotho, the opportunity marks a remarkable milestone in a journey that began more than a decade ago.
Seabata joined Kick4Life’s football and education academy in 2014 and has steadily progressed through the organisation’s academic and sporting pathways. He is currently completing a six-month internship within Kick4Life’s community programmes department, helping to deliver projects aimed at supporting vulnerable youth and strengthening communities across Lesotho.
Speaking about the scholarship, Seabata reflected on the challenges he faced growing up in Lesotho.
“Growing up in Lesotho, my family and I experienced poor social and economic conditions, and I knew from an early age that I would need to work very hard in order to alter the course of our lives,” he said.
“For this reason, I came to appreciate the importance of education as a necessary tool to help me achieve my goals. The opportunity to study at Wrexham University, including a placement at Wrexham AFC Foundation, presents a life-changing opportunity to shape my career as a coach and to nurture my interest in how football can be used strategically to promote social justice, raise awareness of social issues and strengthen community cohesion.”
The scholarship programme strengthens the growing partnership between Wrexham AFC and Kick4Life FC, building on a historic relationship between Wales and Lesotho that dates back to 1985. Several exchange visits involving young leaders from both organisations have already taken place, with additional visits planned over the next two years through support from the UEFA Foundation for Children.
Kick4Life’s co-founder Steve Fleming described the scholarship as a genuinely life-changing initiative for young Basotho.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support of Wrexham University and Wrexham AFC in making this scholarship possible,” he said.
“It will empower young people with the skills, knowledge and qualifications to pursue their dreams and give back to their communities.”
Programme Leader Sara Hilton said the partnership demonstrates football’s power to create opportunities far beyond the pitch.
“We are incredibly proud to support Seabata’s journey from Lesotho to Wrexham through this scholarship,” she said.
“We hope the partnership with Kick4Life not only creates life-changing opportunities for the young people involved, but also strengthens the connection between our communities and highlights the positive impact football can have globally.”
Head of the Wrexham Foundation Jamie Edwards also welcomed the initiative, saying the collaboration reflects the football club’s commitment to creating positive social impact locally and internationally.
World Football Giving Day, founded by Common Goal, is observed annually on 26 May and brings together the global football community to support initiatives using sport as a force for social good.
Summary
- Seabata has received a conditional offer to join the Foundation Degree in Football and Community Development at Wrexham University, a two-year programme designed to combine football coaching, leadership training, community engagement and practical industry experience.
- “Growing up in Lesotho, my family and I experienced poor social and economic conditions, and I knew from an early age that I would need to work very hard in order to alter the course of our lives,” he said.
- The opportunity to study at Wrexham University, including a placement at Wrexham AFC Foundation, presents a life-changing opportunity to shape my career as a coach and to nurture my interest in how football can be used strategically to promote social justice, raise awareness of social issues and strengthen community cohesion.
Seabata Mahao is a general news reporter with special focus on Business and Sports. Started working at Newsday in 2021. Working in a team with a shared goal is what I enjoy most and that gives me the motivation to work under any environment leading to growth.
