Cymru Football Foundation and Football Association of Wales launch facility plan for Wales
The Cymru Football Foundation and Football Association of Wales are delighted to unveil a new Local Football Facility Plan for communities across the country.
These targeted investment plans have been created to identify the need for new or improvements to existing facilities that will meet local demand in each local authority area.
Each plan identifies existing or new sites to be developed by 2030 ensuring investment is prioritised to deliver facilities that:
- Meet the fast-growing needs of the women and girls’ game
- Improve player, volunteer and referee experiences
- Futureproof facilities to become more environmentally sustainable
- Maximise investment opportunities
Having worked with local councils, area associations, leagues, grassroots clubs, and wider stakeholders such as other sports national governing bodies and active partnerships in each local authority area through an in-depth consultation process, plans have now been completed that will address leading capacity issues at current facilities.
Grassroots football clubs have been central to the development of these plans with over 50% of all clubs across Cymru providing feedback to help us identify the needs for high-quality facilities, representing 70% of all players across the country.
Since the CFF was formed in 2022, there has been a 21% increase in registered players across the country – a 47% increase in participation amongst women and girls, a 36% increase in youth players and 114% increase in players with a disability.
The growing demand highlights the need for accelerated investment to deliver improved access to facilities.
Each plan sets an initial five-year vision to transform local football facilities and follow the following four investment priorities:
- 3G artificial grass pitches (AGPs)
- Natural turf grass pitches
- Off pitch and ancillary facilities
- Small-sided recreational football facilities
Having worked with local councils, area associations, leagues, grassroots clubs, and wider stakeholders such as other sports national governing bodies and active partnerships in each local authority area through an in-depth consultation process, plans have now been completed that will address leading capacity issues at current facilities.
Grassroots football clubs have been central to the development of these plans with over 50% of all clubs across Cymru providing feedback to help us identify the needs for high-quality facilities, representing 70% of all players across the country.
Each plan identifies existing or new sites that, through CFF and partner organisation investment, will:
- Meet the fast-growing needs of the women and girls’ game
- Improve player, volunteer and referee experiences
- Futureproof facilities to become more environmentally sustainable
- Maximise investment opportunities
Aled Lewis, Director at the Cymru Football Foundation said:
“We’re excited to reveal our local football facility plans to help shape the future of facility investment across Cymru. Together with the Football Association of Wales, we’re committed to delivering high-quality facilities to communities that need them most.
“These plans will shape future conversations and partnerships with football clubs, leagues, Area Associations and Local Authorities to successfully implement and deliver priority facility projects and we’re looking forward to working together to invest into facilities that will have a positive impact.”
Noel Mooney, CEO at the Football Association of Wales said:
“Investing in facilities is essential for the future of the game across Cymru – demand is at an all-time high and these local football facility plans are our strategy to provide essential positive, safe environments for our grassroots players to thrive.
“We know that these improved facilities will have far-reaching benefits for communities beyond the pitch, supporting positive health and wellbeing, providing an economic boost and encouraging a greater sense of community pride.”
The CFF is committed to bringing Cymru closer to the game, releasing our five-year strategy last year reinforces this commitment.
So far, we’ve invested over £25million into community facilities across the country.
By 2030, our ambition is to put quality football facilities within 15 minutes of every community in Wales, giving priority to those who need it most.
English