Kilgetty Association Football Club Junior football teams were gifted the once in a lifetime opportunity to be mascots during the historic Wales V Ukraine World Cup Qualifying Match at Cardiff last Sunday.
After receiving an email on Wednesday 1st June inviting Kilgetty AFC to provide mascots from their Junior Teams, from 12 years old and younger; 9 boys’ team and 7 girls’ team players accepted the invite.
The 16 mascots travelled with a parent to the Cardiff City Stadium where they were presented with a Wales football kit to wear for the special occasion, which they were allowed to keep, and match day tickets for the mascot and a parent.
During an exciting build up the Junior players rehearsed their mascot duties which included walking on to the pitch in their new Wales kits and standing in front of both Wales and Ukraine players during their national anthems. They sang along proudly with the teams and fans in the sold-out stadium.
The mascots enjoyed a meal before the game and even had chance to meet and chat with some of their footballing heroes.
Kilgetty AFC coach Andy Broomhall said his sons, Dan, Under 12s, and Sammy, Under 10s: “Had the day of their lives, not only as Wales fans but as massive Man City fans. They got chance for a quick chat and fist bump with their Man City and Premier League winning football hero Oleksandr Zinchenko, who of course plays for Ukraine!!”
The event proved to be pretty mind blowing for the youngsters as Betsan, Under 8s Girl’s said: “I can’t believe I was standing next to Gareth Bale!! The player next to him (the almost 7 feet tall Wayne Hennessy) was like a giant!”
Seren, Kilgetty AFC Girl’s Under 12s was thrilled to get high fives from Wayne Hennessy, Kiefer Moore, Neco and Ethan Ampadu.
Logan, under 11s, was: “So proud to be part of history, being mascot for Wales and watching them qualify for the world cup, and as a massive Tottenham Hotspur fan seeing 2 spurs players, Ben Davies and Joe Rodon and former Spurs Gareth Bale, play, capped off an amazing experience which he will never forget.” Shared Duane Rossiter, Under 11s Coach.
In an act of true gentlemanly kindness, the Ukraine team gave their jackets to their mascots to keep them warm. Zinchenko then asked if Bethany, Under 12s, was enjoying the stadium, and told her where to put the Ukraine jackets after wearing them.
Parents and mascots all described the experience as: “A fantastic day, kids and adults loved it!” and “Amazing!! A day we will never forget!”
A Kilgetty AFC shirt was presented to the Wales Squad, it is hoped they will all sign it and it will be framed and hung at Kilgetty AFC Kingsmoor Sports Club.
Thanks were expressed to all who organised the event, especially Kilgetty AFC Girl’s Head Coach, James North, for a totally memorable occasion.
