History

The Neighbourhood Watch Sports Trust was instigated in the City of Cardiff in 1998, and consists of members of Cardiff Neighbourhood Watch organisation, the ‘C’ Division BCU Community Services Department, Local sporting clubs and local youth volunteers. All work carried out is on a voluntary and unpaid basis.

The trust was formed following a conversation between Police Constable Clive Williams Community Safety Officer and Mr. Gary Reade, a Neighbourhood Watch Co-Ordinator, concerning an ongoing problem with young people playing football in the street, which often resulted in damage to property. As a result of these discussions, it was decided one of the best ways of dealing with the anti-social behaviour was to divert energies into some project, in an effort to encourage young people to be aware of their of their responsibilities in the community, and so the trust was formed.

The founding members of the trust were Mr. Gary Reade, Mr. Paul Mignaud and Mrs. Joan Woodberry, in June 2000 they converted into a charity { Number 1081107 }. Since that time the Trust has broadened the sporting activities and scope to include crime prevention competitions competitions in local junior schools.

Following a lot of hard work by Mr. Gary Reade, on Sunday 21st August 1999, a 5-a-side football match was held on The Marl, in Grangetown, Cardiff, this was the first event organised by the Trust. Over 350 young people from across the south of the city took part. Mrs. Maureen Rees, of Driving School fame opened the event, which had a carnival atmosphere with side stalls and music. Local Community police officers assisted to make the event a success and everyone had an enjoyable day. The success of the venue led to a decision to promote it as an annual event and led to a further tournaments being arranged which led to the tournaments, being arrange across the City of Cardiff for the millennium year, starting in a series of five-a-side football matches terminating in the finals for all age groups being played in the Millennium stadium on Sunday 13th August 2000.