A new twinning partnership between Wrexham AFC in Wales and Kick4Life FC in Lesotho will seek to foster international cooperation and exchange between two community-focused football clubs in Europe and Africa.
With coaching exchanges, collaborative promotion of women’s football, and co-development and implementation of a new ‘Football for Good’ curriculum embracing health, education, social inclusion, and employment, Wrexham and Kick4Life hope to strengthen their influence on the community. The alliance will reach 3,000 vulnerable children and young people in both areas over the course of the next three years.
Based on parallels in size, geography, population, bilingualism, and cultural legacy, the national twinning between Wales, in the United Kingdom, and Lesotho, in Southern Africa, was initiated at a meeting in Wrexham in 1984. This is the foundation upon which the club twinning is built. Since then, the ‘Wales-Lesotho Link’ has witnessed a number of cooperative initiatives, such as creative and educational exchanges, which have benefited citizens of both countries, fostered cultural understanding and awareness, and enabled a two-way flow of information.
Wrexham AFC’s executive director, Humphrey Ker, stated: “We had to seize this chance when it was presented because of the connection between Lesotho and Wales that was established in Wrexham. Our main objective is to establish a link between the Wrexham community and the global world.
“This is a truly unique partnership between two football clubs with a shared ambition to have a positive social impact in their communities,” stated Steve Fleming, co-founder of Kick4Life. We can learn so much from one another, and we’re excited to show how two football teams in drastically different regions of the globe can collaborate to improve lives.”
“We are two clubs with very different histories and separated by nearly 6,000 miles, but united by a common commitment to, and connection with, their local communities,” said Motlatsi Nkhahle, Country Director for Kick4Life (shown above). Viewers of the Welcome to Wrexham documentary series are well aware of the club’s significant cultural value to the local community. Additionally, folks who are acquainted with
The British High Commission to the Kingdom of Lesotho is supporting the cooperation. According to High Commissioner Harry MacDonald, Kick4Life has changed the lives of young people in Lesotho both on and off the pitch, with remarkable accomplishments. With the help of Kick4Life and one of the most exciting football teams in the world, Wrexham AFC, more young people in Lesotho than ever before will have access to football opportunities and life skills development. Here in the Mountain Kingdom, Wrexham AFC is fostering the friendships and illustrious traditions of Wales.”
Fleming continued, saying, “Wrexham AFC has found more partners to join up with in order to support us. One of their sponsors has provided seed funds for the relationship.
As part of the collaboration, Kick4Life will also be in charge of the Lesotho Wrexham Supporters Club, which will be officially opened on Tuesday, March 12 at Kick4Life’s No. 7 Restaurant in Lesotho for a screening of the Wrexham vs. Harrogate Sky Bet League Two match (KO. 19.45 GMT / 21.25 SAST).
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