Bellevue FC wins top award for inclusivity in Welsh sport

A community-run football take with inclusion at its heart is celebrating after receiving a top award for its work.

Bellevue FC was given the title of the best in Wales for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the Welsh Sports Association awards.

The team received the accolade at an awards ceremony held by the Welsh Sports Association in Cardiff earlier this month to celebrate the best in Wales’ sport and leisure industry.

Bellevue FC were able to bat off stiff competition from national organisations Tennis Wales and The Outdoor Partnership to take the award.

Taking to the stage and accepting the award on behalf of the club were Club Secretary Sam Mullins and Bellevue Founder Delwyn ‘Sheep’ Derrick, who said: “My ambition is to be unemployed, because all clubs in Wales should be better at equality, inclusion and diversity.

“It should be the norm, and not the exception.”

The local award winning team is a multi-ethnic and inclusion specific squad, with almost all of the players on the men’s team from perceived adverse backgrounds, including refugees, asylum seekers, economic migrants, people with learning difficulties, people with mental health issues and people with minor disabilities.

Bellevue FC also runs a women’s team and four junior sides.

Bellevue Chairman Craig Colville said: “For such a young club we have achieved so much already- it’s great to see how what we do on the pitch and at the club has been recognised many times over by our peers.”

The award was shared with the Bellevue Family at the Bellevue FC Awards night, held at Ty Pawb.

Bellevue FC is run by volunteers for the benefit of the community.

If you would like to make a donation towards Bellevue FC’s work you can by visiting https://localgiving.org/charity/bellevue-fc