'Cage football' kicked off by Llanelli church

A church is hoping to score with youngsters with a new football "cage" that can be set up almost anywhere.

Ty Gwyn Community Church in Llanelli has spent £10,000 on the portable pitch which it hopes will help tackle anti-social behaviour.

The cage, 3m (10ft) high and 20m (66ft) in diameter, can be set up on any flat surface in a sports hall, playground, field, car park or housing estate.

It is designed for a two versus two game that lasts for two minutes.

Church leader Ivan Parker said: "The youngsters at our church can't wait to use it.

"We've already got two football teams that run from the church so we know how important sport is for generating a community spirit and friendships.

"We believe that the introduction of this facility within targeted areas of the community will provide a positive, worthwhile activity that youngsters might not have had access to."

It has been bought with the help of Sport Wales and Communities First.

Sport Wales said a similar project in Knowsley in the north west of England helped reduce anti-social behaviour in by 37%.

Ty Gwyn volunteers will transport the pitch to different areas of Llanelli, and possibly beyond.

Chairwoman of Sport Wales, Professor Laura McAllister, said: "We know that sport has a great power to bring people and communities together and Ty Gwyn will certainly be taking advantage of that.

"I'm really excited by this project and the idea of taking the new facility into so many different areas for different people."