Upper Rhondda Vets Football Club – Building Community Through Football
JULY 3rd 2025
Upper Rhondda Vets Football Club (URVFC) was founded to bring together men aged 40+ for fun, friendly, and accessible 6-a-side football. The idea was born from a social media survey that highlighted a lack of provision for older players in the Upper Rhondda area.
From the outset, the group embraced a welcoming, non-judgemental ethos that prioritised inclusivity, mental and physical wellbeing, and the joy of social connection through sport.
The Impact of Our Support
Thanks to funding from Pen y Cymoedd, the club was able to overcome key start-up barriers and lay solid foundations for growth.
What the Fund Enabled:
Full Playing Kits (Home & Away) – A vital requirement for entering the South Wales Veterans Football League.
Training Venue Hire for One Year – Made twice-weekly sessions completely free, removing cost barriers and increasing accessibility.
League & Player Registration Fees – Helped the club focus on community-building, development, and growth without financial strain on members.
“Without this support, the club simply wouldn’t have been able to launch or grow in the way it has.” – URVFC Committee
Rapid Expansion – Sessions grew from one to two nights a week due to high demand.
League Entry – Formed a formal club and entered the South Wales Veterans Football League.
Strong Performance – Finished 4th in their debut season.
New Team Coming – Plans to introduce a 45+ team for the upcoming season.
“Our inaugural year has been a resounding success – thanks largely to the positive impact of the fund.” – URVFC
Player Testimonials
“Joining the club has had an incredible impact on both my mental and physical wellbeing. It’s improved my fitness, given me a renewed sense of purpose, and helped me manage work and family stress. My self-esteem and sense of community have never been higher.” – Neil
“URVFC has helped me lose 3 stone in 7 months. I now eat better, exercise regularly, and feel physically and mentally transformed. Thank you, Pen y Cymoedd!” – James
Lessons Learned
Creating and maintaining a club like URVFC takes time, energy, and dedication. But the biggest insight is the clear need for initiatives that support men over 40, who may face increasing social isolation.
URVFC is now more than a football team – it’s a community asset that continues to grow in both playing and non-playing members, offering camaraderie, fitness, and mental health benefits.
“We’re here to stay – and to grow. Together, we’re building something truly special.”
The Fund was established by energy company Vattenfall to benefit the communities hosting the Pen y Cymoedd wind farm across the upper Neath, Afan, Rhondda and Cynon Valleys. It exists to support local people, groups and organisations to invest in themselves, their ideas and their communities.
The Community Fund has a substantial annual budget that is index-linked, meaning it increases in line with inflation. As an example, this equated to around £2.5 million in 2025. The Fund will continue to support communities until 2043, creating long-term opportunities for growth, resilience and positive change.
The Fund is managed by an independent, locally based not-for-profit Community Interest Company. It is overseen by a Board of Directors with strong local connections and delivered by a small but dedicated staff team with extensive community engagement experience. We are here to help ensure the Fund delivers on the vision and priorities of local communities.
Over the next 10 years, the Fund is focusing on investment in people, places and businesses — helping the Valleys to thrive, driving bold ideas, supporting transformation and creating lasting impact for current and future generations.