Care-experienced young people supported by Newport City Council recently took part in a national football tournament at MK Dons Stadium in Milton Keynes, enjoying a memorable opportunity to compete at a prestigious venue.
The annual event, held on 29 May 2026, brought together around 500 players aged 16 to 25 from 36 teams across the UK. Newport was proudly represented as the only Welsh local authority in the competition.
Working to a tight timescale, Newport City Council’s Youth Justice Team partnered with Newport Live Positive Futures and the GAP Wales project to identify participants who regularly attend football sessions and met the competition criteria. Young people supported by social workers, including those from the Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) team, were selected alongside other care-experienced young people with a passion for the sport.
Two squads of eight players—Newport Ballers A and Newport Ballers B—were formed to compete in the tournament. In the weeks leading up to the event, participants took part in four training sessions designed to build fitness, teamwork and confidence. Extensive planning also ensured all logistics, including transport, paperwork and practical support, were in place so every young person could attend.
The group set off from Newport at 5:30am on the day of the tournament, with supporters also making the journey to cheer on the teams. Upon arrival, players were impressed by the high-quality facilities and relished the opportunity to play at a professional stadium.
The tournament atmosphere was vibrant and inclusive, with a range of activities running throughout the day. Newport participants also excelled in a skills challenge, where Carly Buchanan stood out as the only competitor to successfully complete it, earning the title of ‘Player of the Tournament’ from Dallaglio Rugby Works.
On the pitch, Newport Ballers B secured one win and one draw to finish fourth in their group, while Newport Ballers A topped their group with one win and two draws. The wider Newport contingent came together to support Ballers A during their quarter-final match, demonstrating strong team spirit and camaraderie.
The success of the day was made possible through collaborative support. Sponsorship from Terry Edgell at Premier Forest enabled the purchase of a Newport football kit, while Newport Live provided hoodies for all players as a lasting memento. Newport City Council covered transport and food costs to ensure accessibility for all participants.
Reflecting on the event, Byron James of The GAP Wales highlighted the collective effort behind the day, describing it as “a fantastic opportunity and a brilliant day for everyone involved.”
Jay McCabe of Newport City Council Children’s Services emphasised the impact on the young people, expressing gratitude to all involved and noting that the experience provided an “awesome opportunity” that would stay with participants.
Lucy Donovan of Newport Live also underlined the importance of the initiative, explaining that the aim was to give care-experienced young people the chance to take part in a competitive event in a high-quality setting, supported by familiar faces. She added that “a huge amount of effort went into making sure young people could be part of the experience, and it really was a day to remember.”
