Loren Dykes on the progress of the Welsh Warriors and Dragons ahead of Edinburgh 21

Wales centurion Loren Dykes MBE has hailed the hard work of Street Football Wales ahead of the Four Nations Challenge Cup.

 Dykes made 105 appearances for the National Team, scoring three times and is now Gemma Grainger’s assistant manager.  

The right-back from Morriston has been a hugely valuable asset to Street Football Wales during her career, offering her time to coach sessions. 

In attendance in the penultimate training session before travelling to Edinburgh for the tournament, Dykes was full of praise for the organisation’s work. 

“I was asked during my time still playing for Wales and I thought what a great opportunity to go along to a great cause.  

“I went once and just meeting everyone, hearing their stories was so humbling and inspiring that it made me want to go back and follow their journeys both individually and as a team. Just to see that transformation in the players, I absolutely love it.  

“Not just the players, the staff and volunteers work so hard. The players stay involved and help the others because they’ve had such great experiences.  

“It’s such a great organisation to be a part of. The more help they can get to support players, the more we can affect people.” 

Street Football Wales’ mission is to use football to create positive social change in Wales.  

The organisation offers opportunities for people who have been socially isolated and excluded, by providing an open, inclusive and safe environment to play football, make friends, build self-confidence and gain support.  

Dykes expressed that the effects of the organisation have no ceiling. 

“I’ve seen the effect first-hand. People go away to the Homeless World Cup as shy individuals who are a little bit lost in their lives. It gives them something to look forward to, gives them a place where they can make friends.  

“Street Football Wales can help in different avenues of their lives because I’ve seen people go on to have jobs. They stay involved and become referees or coaches because they love the game. It really can affect them not just on a mental level, but a physical and social level as well.” 

Devoting her life to football during her time at Llanelli Reds, Cardiff City, Bristol City and Wales, Dykes also feels that the game can play a huge part in offering support. 

“It’s not just a game, it’s for everyone. I played football at a professional level and it can just be about winning games and results, but actually, football is for everyone and it brings people together at every level.  

“I think it’s something to look forward to as players, coaches, volunteers. It really is something that becomes a family to you.” 

The Four Nations Challenge Cup is being held in Edinburgh over the weekend of the 18th and 19th of September.  

With the competition just around the corner, Dykes hailed the standard of the side’s preparation. 

“It’s been fantastic. I’ve been to a few of the sessions now and I’ve always had a two-week gap in-between. I’ve been able to really see the difference.  

“They look organised and look like a team. It’s fantastic to see. I can really see they look physically fitter and are more comfortable around each other.  

“They’re talking much more; their confidence is growing and their skills have got better. I’m looking forward to seeing how they get on in Scotland!”