Last year, Kilgetty AFC hosted a Junior Football Festival that brought together over 700 children from across the community. Bala Sport Fairtrade footballs used across the under 11s, 13s and 14s games, helping young players learn about fair trade initiatives and why they matter. 

This work has been driven by Sharron Hardwick, Secretary of Kilgetty AFC, Girls’ Coach, Women’s Player and founder of the Fair Trade in Football Campaign. Sharron has worked alongside Kilgetty AFC for more than 15 years, using football as a powerful way to raise awareness of global justice and ethical trade.

Bala Sport footballs are Fairtrade certified and produced in partnership with Bola Gema in Sialkot, Pakistan – the global centre of hand-stitched football production. Each ball sold includes a Fairtrade Premium, which goes directly towards improving workers’ and their wider communities’ lives through initiatives such as free healthcare and educational projects.

But, the campaign’s commitment goes beyond a single event. They have regularly embedded Fairtrade into their activities, including school visits, community sessions, and using Fairtrade footballs in training and matches across different age groups. 

Looking ahead, plans are underway to partner with Swansea City Kicks for a Fair Trade Football Tournament in July 2026, with further ambitions to work with Stoke City Football Club later in the year. These partnerships aim to take the message even further, reaching new players, schools and supporters.

As Sharron puts it:

“The use of Bala Sport Fairly Traded footballs is giving young people the opportunity to play fun and fair football whilst helping to raise awareness, whilst providing a fair deal for football workers who are often forgotten, without whom the game would not exist!”

_{Photos by Kilgetty AFC}

If you’re involved in a school, club or community group and want to get involved, you can find out more about Fairtrade footballs at balasport.co.uk or explore the Fair Trade in Football Campaign here.