Click through the season tabs below to follow our journey since our founding in 2017. Each season highlights our milestones, achievements, and memorable moments, showcasing how we’ve grown and evolved over the years.
Inspired by the achievements of the Welsh national team in 2016, Tondu United Football Club emerged with the goal of expanding sporting opportunities for children and instilling a passion for football at a young age. Joe Powton, the club’s founder and secretary, created a five-year vision to elevate standards, enhance community engagement, and improve coaching quality for players.
Highlights from the 17/18 season:
– Becoming an integral part of Bridgend Football.
– Success and growth of the club in its debut season.
– Inaugural events, including the Christmas Party and Annual Awards Ceremony.
– Confirmation of various partnerships, including Game On Wales and Swansea City Community Trust.
– Securing various sponsors and funding opportunities.
Highlights from the 18/19 season:
– Attaining FAW Bronze Accreditation, a first for any club in Bridgend.
– Introduction of diverse programs such as Mini Magpies, walking football, and exclusive girls-only teams.
– Implementation of in-school initiatives and festivals in collaboration with the FAW.
– Club growth – doubling in size from where we were at the end of previous season.
– Enrolment in the FAW Red Wall scheme, providing members with matchday ticketing benefits.
– Recognition by the FAW through inclusion in their ‘More Than A Club’ program.
Highlights from the 19/20 season:
– Attaining FAW Silver Accreditation, another first for any club in Bridgend.
– Successful first sign-on day marked by the implementation of new structures and processes within the club.
– Launch of the innovative ‘Centre Circle’ membership portal for the club.
– Historic moment as the club sees its inaugural junior side participating in competitive football.
– Formalised partnership with the Jacob Abraham Foundation.
Highlights from the 20/21 season:
– A season lost to Covid-19
– Successfully registered as a Community Interest Company (CIC), reinforcing our commitment to community impact and sustainable development
– Implementation of numerous lockdown initiatives, activities, competitions, and gifts for our members.
– Ensuring the safe delivery of sessions whenever possible.
– Introduction of three additional girls-only teams.
– Substantial number of coaches completing ‘Disability Inclusion Training’ and advancing with FAW/UEFA qualifications.
– Established a partnership with Football Fiesta.
Highlights from the 21/22 season:
– Attainment of Platinum status, making us one of the select few clubs in Wales under the updated FAW accreditation scheme.
– Division of mini age groups to enable Saturday and Sunday fixtures, accommodating players participating in both football and rugby.
– Introduction of a new U7 girls team.
– Hosting Christmas parties for all members.
– Acquisition of a sponsored TUFC van, enhancing our marketing strategy and streamlining storage/logistical operations.
Highlights from the 22/23 season:
– Retained FAW Platinum status, one of only two clubs in Bridgend and among a select few in Wales.
– Expanded mini age groups to include more children, creating ‘Barca’ and ‘Madrid’ teams.
– Successfully held all club events, including Christmas parties, presentations, and end-of-season tours.
– Reached cup finals in various age groups.
– U15 Girls League CHAMPIONS – first league title!
Highlights from the 23/24 season:
– Retained FAW Platinum status, maintaining top-tier standards.
– Established a complete mini section of girls-only teams, from U7 to U11.
– Achieved a record number of teams participating in end-of-season tours, with eight teams traveling.
– Increased the number of highly qualified coaches, now having 5 UEFA B Licence and 7 FAW C Licence coaches.
– Once again reached cup finals in various age groups.
– U12 Boys Cup WINNERS – first cup title!
We are driven to succeed, and to create some potential future stars of the next generation, but to do that we need to hit our primary objective of getting as many kids playing and enjoying the sport as possible. We would like to think that all children have a dream of playing for Wales and being the next Gareth Bale or Jess Fishlock, but right now the only thing they want is the correct environment with the correct coaches to be able to have fun and enjoy the game.
Our vision incorporates a full club philosophy and way of thinking, which isn’t all about winning and striving to win, but to ensure all players have equal opportunity to succeed and develop, with this in mind a ruling across the board that every player will be guaranteed at least a set amount of game time which would be set and agreed with the coach. This model is not universally accepted by all of the coaches who are absolutely determined to win the local under 12’s league or cup competition, which is apparently the most important thing, but when you talk to the players, the one thing they don’t like is going to training on a weekly basis and working their hardest like everyone else, to stand on the sidelines and get no game time, or at best get five minutes on a weekend. These children have signed up to play football, not just train for football, so we have to create opportunities and let them play.
To all the parents worried about what level of ability your child has or what their role would be on a specific team, may you allow perspective in your thoughts and actions that no matter what team they are placed on or what their role ends up being, it is still a great privilege to be a part of this sport in any capacity. Children develop at different stages and must be given the opportunity to shine. There are some kids who would give ANYTHING to be a part of it, yet for one reason or another, they can’t, whether that be money, logistics, geographic restrictions, lack of support, resources in their area, or health to name a few. So instead of worrying about their ability, what team or what role, focus on what IS present for your child, the opportunities to learn, love, and grow into the next chapters of their lives. Don’t let the “level” that they are at in comparison to others they play with dictate the value of your child or the joy they get to have from their experience. Let them see you celebrate their accomplishments as part of a big journey, not as a snapshot in time that completely stops all other things.
The minutes, hours, years you have to be a part of it are limited. Make them good and enjoy the huge privilege it is to watch your child walk onto that pitch to do what they love.
“A great pianist does not run around the piano or do push-ups with the tops of his fingers to be great, he plays the piano.”
"Football has to be FUN for kids or it doesn't make sense."
"Sometimes it's better to let them make a mistake, sometimes they learn more from the mistake than being told what to do."
We will have a measurement for all of our coaches as to how many children come back to be coached by them next year, rather than how many leagues or competitions they have won because essentially there can only be one winner of any league and someone is going to win it, but the more kids they can retain who believe they have improved, they’ve provided a great environment that’s given them a love of the game and a want to come back, then they’ve done their job.
Catering to a diverse range from Under 4s to adults and seniors, we embrace a football community that spans all ages, providing inclusive and enjoyable experiences for everyone.
Committed to boosting sports participation, particularly in football, we invite new players to join our club. If you’re interested, get in touch about attending a FREE taster session.
We adopt an inclusive approach, welcoming individuals of all ages, irrespective of ability, experience, or gender. We are dedicated to addressing the unique needs of each member.
While our primary focus is on player development, we also invest in our volunteer coaches. Each coach can access our ‘coaches of the future’ funding pot for qualifications, supporting their coaching journey right through to UEFA A Licence.
All of our coaches will aim to create the correct environment suited to the needs of the players. It is important that the environment allows players to feel safe and comfortable in their surroundings, allowing them to challenge themselves and try new things without fear of failure. Our coaches will always try to adapt their delivery styles and methods to meet the needs of all players.
Although we would like to see our club win leagues and competitions and be well represented within Welsh football, we do not see this as our main priority. Prioritising children’s passion for football and addressing individual needs take precedence. While teamwork is important, our focus is on nurturing players as individuals, enhancing their skills both on and off the pitch.
