Colwyn Bay FC opens a sensory room at the Blue Turtle Arena for young fans

Going to the football should be fun for everyone, and Colwyn Bay Football Club has taken a practical step to make sure it is. The club has opened a new sensory room at its Llanelian Road ground, the Blue Turtle Arena, for matchdays.

The room has been designed with neurodiverse children in mind, offering a calm, safe and structured space where youngsters can enjoy the game with family and friends. It is also open to babies and toddlers who may benefit from a quieter space during games.

It sits alongside the Quiet Zone in block G of the club's new stand, designed to offer a calmer, less overwhelming environment during Cymru Premier fixtures, and the club's existing wheelchair stand.

Josh Antoniou, head of the club's foundation, said the foundation's programmes reach several SEN schools and groups, so it was important that the stadium felt welcoming to everyone it works with during the week. "We're extremely proud to be launching the Sensory Room, and the feedback we've received surrounding the initiative since the news broke has been an indication of just how much small adjustments like this can make a huge difference," he said.

The CBFC Foundation, the club's charitable arm, runs free street football sessions, school engagement schemes, holiday programmes, disability sport, girls' football and wider community outreach, focusing on physical health, mental wellbeing and social inclusion. Vice chair Carly Johnson said it delivers vital programmes across Conwy county and beyond.

Its work recently earned praise from Tom Montgomery MS, who said the Seagulls are flying high for the local community.

On the pitch, the season is in full swing, and the club's next home fixture is against Cambrian United on Friday 30 October. Off it, the club has been running a food and homeless supply donation drive ahead of that game, and its supporters' Christmas raffle is under way. Colwyn Bay Ladies have also started strongly, winning their first 11-a-side match 8-0.

Fixtures, tickets and details of the foundation's programmes are at cbfc.wales.