Since its launch in October 2022, the Cymru Football Foundation (CFF) has awarded £4.3m to 81 facility projects across the country.
The CFF charity supports the development of football through investment and guidance as it delivers on the Football Association of Wales’ (FAW) commitment to develop inspirational fit-for-future football facilities that will improve and grow Welsh football on and off the pitch.
The priorities of the CFF is to support projects that:
- Enable stronger and sustainable community focussed clubs
- Grow opportunities and improve experiences for women and girls
- Support wider community needs and tackle inequalities
Supported by a total of £3.7m from the Uk Government, the CFFs facility programme has awarded more than £3.2m to support large capital projects such as changing rooms, clubhouse developments and artificial pitches. Meanwhile, through the Equipment Fund, the CFF has awarded over £500K to support projects such as pitch maintenance equipment and portable floodlights.
Using a £300k investment from Sport Wales, clubs have been supported by a Sustainability Fund to make environmentally friendly changes to their facilities. The supported projects will lead to a reduction in emissions by over 50 carbon tonnes per year. This will result in £300K year-round cost savings over the next 10 years.
“We are extremely pleased and proud to have supported so many projects, in just six months, that will deliver such an impact within communities. We look forward to continuing to our work with funding partners to achieve our goal of Inspirational and Fit-for-Future Facilities across Wales.”
Aled Lewis, Head of Operations at the Cymru Football Foundation
UK Government Sports Minister Stuart Andrew said: “We want to increase participation in sport and help people enjoy team activities while getting fit.
“This investment in grassroots facilities in Wales will give thousands of people access to top-quality facilities in areas where they are needed most.”
The CFF has awarded £1.5m to projects that will improve facilities for women and girls, including female friendly changing rooms; and over £1m has been awarded to projects in 30% of the most deprived communities in Wales.
The total investment into grassroots football by the FAW and CFF over the past 12 months is £7.3m, making this the largest programme of funding in the history of Welsh football.
For more information on the Cymru Football Foundation, visit their website by clicking here.
