Mochdre Lionesses to represent North Wales at top football tournament celebrating diversity and inclusion

North Wales will be represented at one of Europe’s leading events celebrating diversity and inclusion in sport this weekend.

Mochdre Lionesses recreational football team are attending the 23rd annual Sport Against Racism Ireland (SARI) Soccerfest, the Emerald Isle’s largest intercultural seven-a-side tournament taking place in partnership with the European Week of Sport.

Forty teams featuring players from over 60 nationalities will participate, including a side from Ireland’s Rohingya community, made up of Syrian refugees based in Ballaghderreen.

It all takes place this Saturday, September 14, from 11 am to 5.30 pm at the Garda Sports Grounds, Phoenix Park, Dublin.

Admission to SARI Soccerfest is free and there will be a wide variety of entertainment for all the family with food, music and activities for children.

For more information and to see the full programme of events see: http://www.sari.ie.

SARI, founded in 1997, uses the power of sport to challenge discrimination, promote cultural integration and drive social inclusion throughout Ireland.

Sport Ireland is the national co-ordinator for the European Week of Sport in Ireland which aims to promote sport and physical activity across Europe.

More than 400 events will take place across Ireland from September 23-30, with the football competition a forerunner to the main showpiece.

Mochdre Lionesses spokeswoman Siona Murray said: “It’s a great cause and I’m hoping that by us going over they’ll get more women and girls involved. I know they’ve struggled this year (to attract female teams), while they were over subscribed with men’s teams.”

Founded on March 1, 2017, the Lionesses were made up initially of mums from Llysfaen Junior FC.

Three weeks and just a handful of training sessions later they played in their first tournament – the Cwpan y Bobl.

They moved to Mochdre in March 2018 and formed a partnership with the Mochdre Sports Football Club.

Lionesses were the only Welsh team to take part in the first National Women’s Recreational Football Festival in Crawley, West Sussex, in June 2018 – and returned home with a trophy.

This year, the North Wales women won their group in the Inspire League’s final set of cup matches. They have been true pioneers for recreational football in North Wales and the north west.

The ladies train at Mochdre Sports pitch on Tuesdays 6 pm -7.30 pm and new members of all skills levels are always welcome.

The Lionesses will enter the new North Wales Women’s Recreational League for its inaugural 2019-20 season.