The Club

Club Structure:-   Cardiff City Ladies Football Club was formed in 1975 and is a voluntary organisation, with all its committee, coaches and volunteers giving their time to the club freely. The Club currently runs 2 women’s teams, and three junior sections made up of an under 16’s, under 14;’s and our mini section for girls aged 7 to 12. Membership is increasing annually and currently stands at 45 seniors and 100 junior players.

Running of the club:- The club is totally self sufficient, relying heavily on financing its activities by players subscriptions, fundraising events ie. supermarket bagpacking, cine horse raising nights, bumper Xmas raffle draws etc. The club has a few local business partners who help with small donations and sponsorship, enabling the club to apply for Lottery Sportsmatch and Community Chest Grants .

Competition:- CCLFC two women’s sides play in the FA Women’s National Premier League, with the senior team playing in the Southern Division, whilst the reserves play in Division 1 of the National Premier Reserve League. All the junior sides compete in the South Wales Girls League.

The Club is also very proud of its achievements in the Welsh Cup having won the competition on eight occasions, and as Welsh Champions competed in the UEFA Club Championships on seven occasions, travelling to Croatia, Poland, Slovakia and Portugal and were proud to be one of the clubs involved in the inaugural Champions League competition in Denmark in 2009.

Interacting within the community:- The Club ensures its obligation of putting something back into the community by its close links with Sport Cardiff and the Council run Dragon Sport Scheme over the years for children aged 7 to 12 year of age, then making the pathway into the junior sections. The club is also pro active in encouraging its players onto the coaching ladder, by running summer soccer camps for youngsters both boys and girls. The senior players run and administer all the coaching activities for the children.

Honours: - The club is very proud of its many honours that have been gained in the clubs 36 year history, none more so than the numerous players who have gained international honours for Wales whilst playing for the club. The club boasts players in every section of recent Welsh squads, working very closely with the FA of Wales in ensuring that players are well prepared and ready if and when called on to represent their country.

Objectives: - The club tries to be much more than just a football club, as well as the physical activities the girls participate in, the club encourages interaction between the senior and junior players by requesting the seniors join in junior coaching sessions and supporting their games where possible. The club is also committed to good club values of showing a professional attitude, sportsmanship, moral commitment and team belonging and responsibility, as well as senior players acting as role models to the younger players. The club holds sessions to advise and encourage the importance of nutrition, fitness and coping and looking after injuries.

Club values are most evident at the end of season presentation night attended by over 250 guests, where a power point display of each section is shown and trophies presented to every section including Player of the Year, Most Improved Player and a special award of ‘Club Dragon’ which is presented to a player not necessarily for her ability but for dedication, commitment and endeavour to her club and sport.

Club Accreditation: - In 2006 The Club was presented with The FAW Bronze Accreditation Award, and last season gained silver status. The award confirms that the Club has the criteria and standards required, as the scheme is a best practice guide that sets standards of coaching, administration and child protection for clubs working with young people. The scheme sets out the criteria and standards as a benchmark for quality and safety. The club offers the best possible facilities for training and games, and the scheme ensures all players, regardless of gender, race or social background, have the opportunity to play football in a safe and friendly environment. Parents can send their children to a club that is run to the very highest standards; the accreditation gives them that reassurance. It means that all coaches are qualified, have been through all the child protection and first aid courses and abide by the club’s code of conduct.