Kabelo Ngatane has joined Wrexham University to study on the FdA Football and Community Development programme delivered with the Wrexham AFC Foundation. The 21-year-old footballer and coach educator from Lesotho started the course earlier this autumn, as the club's first team handles a Championship season where they have three wins, five draws and three losses from their opening 11 matches.

Steve Fleming explained the initiative's origins. "Wrexham AFC and Kick4Life FC launched a club twinning partnership in 2024 to create opportunities for a two-way exchange of knowledge, expertise and culture," he said.

Ngatane's journey from Lesotho

Ngatane has been involved with Kick4Life since he was seven years old. His long-term dedication as a coach educator in his home country led to his selection for this educational opportunity. He has only been in Wrexham for a few weeks and is already settling into university life, having joined the university's football team and made new friends. He admitted the local accent was a challenge at first but is quickly getting used to it.

Community impact through football

The programme is designed to use football as a vehicle for social change. Ngatane plans to use the skills and knowledge he gains in Wrexham to positively impact his community upon returning to Lesotho. During his studies, he will gain hands-on experience through the Wrexham AFC Foundation, observing its community work firsthand.

This off-field development comes as the first team sits 14th in the Championship with 14 points from 11 games, having scored 15 goals and conceded 16. Their recent form shows two wins, one draw and two defeats, including a 4-1 victory over Preston on Saturday 17 October where Kieffer Moore, the club's top scorer with five goals this season, was on the scoresheet. The squad's next challenge is an away trip to face 10th-placed Blackburn on Saturday 24 October. Ngatane will gain his practical experience with the Foundation while the professional side continues its campaign, which currently sees them nine points behind league leaders Swansea.

First reported at Wrexham.com