21-year-old Nasif Choudhury founded Maindee United to create a safe and inclusive place for ethnically diverse young people to play football.
What started as casual turn up and play sessions grew into a committed new club and thriving community.
Where it all began
Nasif and his friends attended casual football sessions with the Young Muslim & Community Organisation (YMCO). These sessions helped their confidence grow and enjoy the game in a relaxed environment.
The YMCO saw an opportunity to develop the boys’ leadership skills. With Sport Wales funding, they trained four players as coaches.
The idea was simple: the new leaders would coach younger boys, who would eventually step into leadership roles themselves. They are creating a cycle that can be continued for years to come.
With funding from Sport Wales, we have been able to train up young leaders who have now gone on to develop a community football club for ethnically diverse players.
By investing in skills and qualifications, young people are not only benefitting from local sports opportunities – but they are also the drivers of future growth and representation within the local sports community
Maindee United is born
After taking part in more training, Nasif and his friends learned everything a beginner coach needed, including:
- coaching tips.
- session planning.
- basic drills and warm-ups.
- safeguarding.
- First Aid.
Transforming from player to coach, Nasif set up a new team: Maindee United.
The club is a safe space where young ethnically diverse men feel free to be themselves. It reflects the needs of the players - training is paused during Ramadan and social trips are alcohol-free.
The majority of the players are Muslim but we do have people from other religions too. It’s a team where you can feel comfortable being yourself and it is line with values like not drinking alcohol or smoking
A step ahead with Sport Wales funding
The Be Active Wales Fund via Sport Wales helped Nasif to set up the club and give them a strong foundation to grow.
This money was used for:
- equipment.
- training courses for coaches.
- venue hire.
The next chapter
Maindee United continues to thrive. - They even have a food and local-business review segment on their social media, ‘Sideline Scrans.’
What began as a simple kickabout with friends led to a training opportunity for four young leaders. It gave Nasif the confidence and leadership skills that built a community and created new opportunities for young people from ethnically diverse backgrounds.
His ambitions don’t stop here. Nasif has a long-term goal to set up junior sides at the club.
Start a club
Start a new sports club with Sport Wales funding.