KILGETTY Association Football Club hosted its annual Junior Football Festival on Bank Holiday Monday, welcoming over 60 teams, with coaches and spectators from across Pembrokeshire and Wales.

The fun-filled grassroots football festival kicked off the morning session with U7s Girls, U9s and U15s Mixed teams playing matches on seven pitches.

Teams played in a safe and well organised tournament, officiated by Kilgetty AFC volunteer referees, with PFL Referees Joe Lewis and Craig Templeton.

While U7s and U9s played for fun, the competitive U15s mixed section title was claimed by Cardigan Town FC, with St Clears Clarets as runners up.

The afternoon session welcomed U9s, U11s and U13s Girls who enjoyed playing teams from across Wales. Tenby AFC U13s Girls emerged victorious, Bryn Rovers U13s Girls were runners up.

Visiting teams expressed their gratitude. Everyone at Johnstown U11s Girls said: “Thanks to everyone involved with the Kilgetty festival today, well organised, really welcoming and very friendly,” while Fishguard Sports commented: “Third year – enjoyed and as well organised as ever: Thank you.”

The first festival of its kind was organised by Chris Griffiths in 2005 and was continued by Lukas Gamble from 2011, with James North and Sharron Hardwick joining Lukas in recent years. It continues to grow as the highlight of Kilgetty AFC’s season, combining fun, inclusive football with community spirit with a global conscience by supporting Fairtrade.

The festival demonstrates Kilgetty AFC’S commitment to fairness on and off the pitch, with U13s Girls and U15s mixed categories playing with Bala Sport Fair Trade footballs, ensuring workers receive fair wages and better working conditions.

The Fairtrade theme continued off the pitch, with Kilgetty Co-op donating Fairtrade bananas and the Fair Trade In Football Campaign donating Fairtrade chocolate bars for volunteers. Fair Trade Wales provided a popular banana mascot suit worn by Kilgetty Women’s Captain Maisie Sherratt, alongside members of Kilgetty girls’ teams for fun team photos.

The organisers extended sincere thanks to festival sponsors Folly Farm, RWE, Scaffold 2000, Co-Op, Puffin Cottage Holidays, Classic Carpets, Rib and Oyster, Twisted Tangles, Tenby Mor, Circular Waste Solutions and Kit Sponsors New York Welsh and Valero.

Kilgetty AFC Secretary Sharron Hardwick said: “We thank Kilgetty AFC sponsors and volunteers from the Saundersfoot Rotary, Julie Keating park and ride driver, Kilgetty women’s, girl’s and men’s teams, parents, coaches, PFL referees for their outstanding support, without whom this wouldn’t be possible. Thanks to Kingsmoor Sports Club and Stepaside School, the Begelly Arms, and the Community Council for their vital parking. We must also acknowledge the dedication of the organisers, Kilgetty AFC Committee, particularly James North, for yet another great day of fun, Fair Trade football.”