Pupils from Ysgol Morgan Llwyd put their football skills to the test as part of an FA Wales initiative.

The Cics Cymru project has been created by an FAW Trust, Welsh Government and Premier League partnership with the aim of attracting 1,800 new children to football.

Within weeks of the launch, the ambitious project is more than halfway towards its target.

Video and images by Craig Colville

Of the seven clubs funded to deliver the project, Wrexham AFC’s Racecourse Foundation has been the most successful, so far attracting 325 youngsters to its sessions.

Former Wales international Sam Ricketts, now first team manager at Wrexham AFC, is proud of the community work done by his club.

At the session itself, several pupils took turns taking penalties with Sam in goal as well as having a training session on the school's pitch.

Speaking the session at Ysgol Morgan Llwyd, Sam said: “We’re a community club and we want everybody to enjoy football, regardless of race or gender.

“The amount of children taking part here shows the passion for football in this area and the unique opportunity we have to grow the game.

“Welsh football is going from strength to strength. The men’s team started it at Euro 2016 and now the women are driving the game forward. It’s fantastic.”

FAW Trust CEO Neil Ward said: “The aim of this project is to improve young people’s physical activity and health through football.

“We’re targeting 1,800 young people, aged 12 to 16, who wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to play.

“We’re delighted to have engaged nearly 1,000 youngsters already, more than 300 of those here in Wrexham.”

The Welsh Government is also pleased by the progress of Cics Cymru.

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, Lord Elis-Thomas, said: “Welsh football at the top level is in excellent health, with both men and women’s national teams and our club sides enjoying unprecedented success over recent years and Gareth Bale the talk of the footballing world.

“But ensuring young people have better quality sporting opportunities is key to ensuring that this success translates into increased participation in sport on a regular basis.

“Cics Cymru is an excellent example of the hard work and ambition of the FAW Trust, working alongside Welsh Government and the Premier League, to ensure no community or individual in Wales is left behind.

"It’s a truly collaborative, far reaching project involving several football clubs from across Wales and I’m delighted to see the part it’s playing in encouraging more young people than ever to participate in football and enjoy the many benefits of sporting activity.”