The Cymru Football Foundation (CFF) and the Football Association of Wales (FAW) are calling for £150 million to be invested in football facilities over the next five years to improve access to quality pitches and community infrastructure across the country.

The organisations have unveiled Local Football Facility Plans for every local authority area in Wales, setting out a roadmap for upgrading existing sites and developing new facilities by 2030.

The plans prioritise projects that support the rapid growth of the women’s and girls’ game, address gaps in provision, improve experiences for players, volunteers and referees, and make facilities more environmentally sustainable.

Welsh Government said it is committed to working closely with governing bodies to expand opportunities and remove barriers in sport.

More than half of grassroots football clubs in Wales contributed to the development of the plans, representing almost 70% of all registered players nationwide.

Since its launch in 2022, the CFF has invested more than £27 million in football facilities across Wales, delivering 46 artificial pitches and more than 60 clubhouses and changing rooms.

During the same period, registered player numbers have increased by 21%, including a 47% rise in participation among women and girls, a 36% increase in youth players and a 114% increase in players with a disability.

The plans outline four key investment priorities over the next five years: 3G artificial grass pitches, natural turf pitches, off-pitch and ancillary facilities, and small-sided recreational football facilities.

“We’re excited to reveal our local football facility plans to help shape the future of facility investment across Cymru,” Aled Lewis, Director at the Cymru Football Foundation said.

“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.”

“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,” Noel Mooney, CEO at the Football Association of Wales added.

“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.”

“This Welsh Government is committed to working closely with governing bodies to expand opportunities and remove barriers in sport,” the Welsh Government replied.

“We will commission an audit of community and regional sporting facilities and will engage with key partners, including national governing bodies, to inform targeted capital investment over the government term. Football facilities will be an important consideration in taking forward these commitments.”

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