ZIMBABWE Newport Volunteering Association hailed a free football tournament and family day for refugee week a success.

Three hundred and fifty community members attended the event on Saturday (June 25) and 120 of those were refugees.

Ninety players took part in the free football tournament, which saw14 teams compete against each other.

The tournament was officially opened by Sean Wharton, who gave an emotional motivational speech about his experience as a premier league footballer and manager for Cwmbran Town FC.

The winners of the tournament were 'Slovakia FC' who won against the team 'We Are Here For BBQ FC' who were awarded medals by Newport city migration officer Emmy Chater.

As well as the tournament, guests could enjoy a free barbecue and learn about healthy eating and exercise through the Black and Ethnic Minority (BME) community sports project.

Robert Muza, one of the organisers from Zimbabwe Newport Volunteering Association said: “Our objectives were met, thus promoting health communities, social inclusion and integration of refugees and asylum seekers into Newport society.”