Last Wednesday, 2nd October, a group of Year 11, GCSE Business Studies pupils from Penyrheol Comprehensive School, Gorseinon visited the Swansea.com Stadium as part of the Trust’s Schools’ Programme in support of their examination studies.
This forms part of a long-term commitment by the Swans Trust to help allow youngsters to become more aware of how the Club operates as well as the work of the Trust. Nine years ago, extended discussions were held with the Welsh Joint Education Committee (WJEC) and eventually this led to the Swans Trust devising an approved “Challenge” for pupils in the 14-16 age group that formed part of their Welsh Baccalaureate and Key Skills Qualifications. Pupils would be asked to devise and present ideas that would improve the match day experience for younger supporters.
More recently the project was extended where it is now offers Economics and Business Studies students up to the age of 18 a chance to visit the stadium to gain an insight into the operation of one of Swansea’s larger businesses. While at the stadium pupils take part in a question-and-answer session about the structure of the Football Club from the business point of view and have a tour to illustrate aspects of its finances.
The project continues to be led and delivered by Trust Board member Roger Goodwin and we are also grateful to the Club for their support in allowing this important work to continue.
The first of this season’s visits last Wednesday saw 18 youngsters from Penyrheol School enjoy a stadium tour highlighting its cost centres and the revenue streams it generates. They then spent an hour in the press room discussing the financial issues involved in running the Club, in particular the implications of the EFL’s “Profitability and Sustainability” rules and how that affects a club the size of the Swans in today’s transfer market.
More visits to the stadium by other schools and colleges have been arranged over the next couple of months and we’ll provide further updates as the season continues.
If anyone has any questions about our Schools’ Programme, please email Roger at roger.goodwin@swanstrust.co.uk
Swansea City Supporters’ Trust
7th October 2024
