FAW estimates £150m is needed to expand and repair the

FAW estimates £150m is needed to expand and refurbish

According to Bbc.

Why it matters

The FAW's call for £150m funding is vital to sustaining the development of football in Wales, particularly at the grassroots and in the women's field. With a 21% increase in the number of players, including a 47% rise in female players, new facilities are needed to meet the growing demand. The right infrastructure is key to further strengthen football in the country and provide a better experience to the players.

Key Points

• FAW estimates £150m is needed to expand and repair the.
• The FAW has raised the call for significant funding—an estimated £150m—to chase the rapid growth of football in Wales, particularly at the grassroots and in the women's game.
• Welsh football bosses reveal cost to improve facilities - BBC Sport.

It is estimated that up to £150 million will need to be invested to deliver the level of facilities that football in Wales now demands, according to the Football Association of Wales (FAW). This has been driven by continued growth in the number of players across the country, including a huge rise in the number of women and young players, prompting the FAW to roll out a wider infrastructure plan for the grassroots. According to FAW, such an amount is needed before the end of the decade to keep up with demand. Over the past four years, the association's charitable arm—the Cymru Football Foundation (CFF)—has funded around £27 million towards the development of facilities at various levels of the game. However, the new consultation shows that five times the current funding range is needed, due to shortages in pitches and facilities amid a 21% increase in football participation in the country. A 47% rise in the number of female players and teenage girls was particularly highlighted, while the number of youth players also increased by almost a third. In the launched Local Football Facility Plans, existing and new locations in 22 local authority areas have been identified to meet the "immediate needs of the women's and girls' game" and resolve facility gaps. The analysis also revealed some critical shortages compared to demand: an estimated 43% of natural pitches are marked “poor” or “not classified”, 18 out of 22 local areas lack artificial surfaces, and changing facilities are also lacking. With a new record of around 120,000 registered players this month, demand is expected to intensify.

"Investment in facilities is vital to the future of the game in Cymru—demand is at an all-time high and local football facility plans are our strategy to provide a safe and positive environment in which the grassroots can thrive," FAW chief executive Noel Mooney said. The FAW funded the grassroots through the Cymru Football Foundation, with support from Sport Wales, the Welsh Government, the English Premier League and local partners. Mooney has long called for more help from the government and, in an interview with BBC Politics Wales, he hoped the new Plaid Cymru government would open the door to more funding. With the appointment of Heledd Fychan as senior minister with responsibility for sport, the FAW believes that the way sport is funded in Wales can be reset—including a possible link-up with the ministry for public and preventive health to further widen participation. In a statement from the Welsh Government, it assured it would work with governing bodies to expand opportunities and remove barriers to sports. They will commission a comprehensive audit of community and regional sporting facilities and liaise with key partners, including national governing bodies, to push forward the target capital investment by the deadline. Among the main considerations is the facility for football. All in all, the FAW's message is clear: if the growth of football in Wales is to be maintained and developed—especially among women and youth—infrastructure needs to catch up with the pace of player growth. The estimated £150m funding is seen as the key to bringing more pitches, artificial surfaces and proper changing facilities to the community, and eventually promoting football to every corner of the country.

What's next

It is expected that the Welsh Government will carry out an audit and set investment targets to address the facility shortfalls. Local Football Facility Plans will be launched to identify existing and new locations in 22 local authority areas, focusing on the needs of women and girls. These steps can open up more opportunities for grassroots football and the development of women in the field of sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the estimated amount the FAW needs for a football facility in Wales?

The FAW needs an estimated £150 million to expand and renovate football facilities across Wales.

Why does the FAW need £150 million now?

Amount is needed before the end of the decade to keep up with continued growth in the number of players, including significant increases in the number of women and young players.

Who gave of information about the required funds?

Information about the required funding is provided by the Football Association of Wales (FAW).

What are the main issues identified with football facilities in Wales?

A shortage of pitches was identified, with 43% of natural pitches marked 'poor' or 'unclassified', and 18 out of 22 local areas lacking artificial surfaces.

What steps is FAW taking to address facility deficiencies?

The FAW has launched Local Football Facility Plans to address existing and new locations in 22 local authority areas for the rapid demand in the women's and girls' game.

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