With Coronavirus restrictions lifting, our local sports teams can begin training again. Inter Penarth FC are recruiting players for their youth team to help teenagers through the difficult lockdown period.

Youth team manager Luke Durbin said the team are looking for additional players aged 16-17, or those that have just left statutory education.

"We've currently got around 13/14 players, so I'm using social media to try a find a few more players to get to 15 or 16 for a full squad," he said.

"We want to approach the season in a professional manner, so we need a full squad, in order to achieve this."

Inter Penarth are an amateur Sunday league side that currently train weekly at King George V playing fields in Llandough.

"At the moment we're following the Football Association of Wales guidelines. Phase one was no contact, and we're currently in phase two," said Luke.

"We're allowed to train with contact, and we don't have to be socially distanced while we play, however on drinks breaks everyone brings their own water bottles and we socially distance. Obviously, all the equipment is sanitised too."

When phase three begins, the Inter Penarth Youth Team can play friendly matches against other teams.

"We were hoping for phase three soon, but we'll have to wait and see. Hopefully we can go back to normality as soon as possible, which is what everyone involved in football wants," said Luke.

Sport is something everyone has missed out during lockdown, and Luke is keen to get young players back on the pitch.

"I have a clear game plan and philosophy that we aim to work within. We play positive, attacking football sticking to our key principles whilst maintaining the ability to be flexible in our tactics.

"As a coach, I have a strong belief in building play from the back and pressing high to win possession. I want all players to feel the freedom to express themselves in possession and to be determined to gain possession through counter-pressing."

"Obviously over the course of the last four or five months, mental and physical health has been impacted for everyone," said Luke.

"When you're 16-18, it is common that young men can find it hard to talk openly. It's something not talked about enough, but playing sport is proven to have a positive effect on mental health."

"If we can give a bit of help to teenagers through a challenging transition into adult life, then that's great. Just to get them out and about again, socialising and being active. I hope that we can create a positive environment for young men to grow as players and people.

If you're interested in joining the youth team at Inter Penarth FC, contact Luke via email or phone: [email protected] / 07949294451.