Thirteen young Urdd ambassadors have returned home after travelling 4,600 miles to Kenya to empower girls through sport in partnership with the charity Moving the Goalposts (MTG).
This international programme is a continuation of the special partnership between the Urdd and MTG. The partnership was first launched in 2019 with support from the Welsh Government, with the aim of fostering cross-cultural understanding, youth development and gender equality through sport. Since then, groups of Urdd ambassadors have travelled from Wales to Kenya in the summers of 2023, 2024, 2025 and once again this year.
The main focus of the August 2026 visit was for a group of Urdd sports department staff, apprentices and volunteers to empower girls and young women across six communities in Kenya, including Dzitsoni in Kaloleni, Mdzongoloni in Kilifi, Mbugini in Tiwi and M’bwana, through leadership workshops and multi-sport sessions.
Thanks to the support of the Welsh Government, over a five-day period the group from Wales engaged with more than 1,000 local girls, many of whom had the opportunity for the first time to participate in sports such as rugby, football, netball and cricket.
In addition to coaching, the initiative places a strong emphasis on teamwork, communication, health awareness and education, while also addressing barriers to participation such as community stigma and a lack of parental support.
The visit also provided an opportunity for the young people from Wales to learn from the values, culture and resilience of communities in Kenya, while strengthening mutual understanding and global citizenship.
The partnership reflects the Urdd’s commitment to empowering young people and providing international opportunities through the Welsh language. The programme has left a profound impression on everyone who has taken part over the years.
Young participants from Wales said:
“I hope I’ve had a positive impact on them, because they have certainly left a lasting impression on me.”
Another added:
“Over a thousand girls taking part, incredible! Hand on heart, this has been the highlight of my year.”
Moving the Goalposts (MTG) is a community-based organisation located in Kenya that focuses on empowering girls and young women through sport, particularly football. Established in 2001, MTG uses football as a tool to promote leadership, life skills, education and health awareness among girls in rural and marginalised communities, particularly along Kenya’s coast. During the 2026 visit, the Urdd delegation visited four community projects: M’bwana League Field; Mdzongoloni League Field; Mbuguni League Field; Dzitsoni Secondary School.