The Football Association of Wales (FAW) has announced the appointment of eight new representatives to its Council, marking another significant milestone in the delivery of its Together Stronger for the Future governance reforms.
From 1 August 2026, the new Council Members will represent coaches, players, supporters and young people, ensuring those at the heart of Welsh football have a stronger voice in shaping the future of the game.
The appointments follow an open recruitment process launched earlier this year, with the Coaches’, Players’ and Supporters’ Representatives selected by the FAW’s Nomination & Recruitment Committee.
The Youth Council representatives join the Council through their positions as Chair and Deputy Chair of the FAW Youth Council, having themselves progressed through a competitive recruitment process to represent young people across Welsh football.
Together, the eight appointments bring an exceptional breadth of experience to the FAW Council, combining elite football knowledge with expertise in governance, leadership, education, equality, community engagement and strategic decision-making.
FAW President Mike Jones said: “Football in Wales is stronger when the people around the Council table reflect the people who make our game so special.
“These appointments bring together an outstanding mix of experience, knowledge and fresh perspectives, while ensuring the voices of players, coaches, supporters and young people are represented as we shape the future of Welsh football.
“It is a pleasure to welcome each of our new Council Members, and I know they will make a significant contribution as we continue to build on the proud traditions of Welsh football while looking confidently to the future.”
FAW Chief Executive Noel Mooney added: “One of the ambitions of our governance reforms was to ensure the people helping shape the future of Welsh football better reflect the game we serve today.
“These appointments achieve exactly that. We have welcomed individuals with outstanding experience from elite football, grassroots football, supporter engagement, governance and community development, alongside young people who will represent the next generation of Welsh football.
“I would like to congratulate each of our new Council Members. They all bring different experiences and perspectives, and I look forward to working with them as we continue building an even stronger future for football in Cymru.”
Coaches’ Representatives
Lauren Smith
Lauren Smith brings extensive experience from the highest levels of the professional game.
Currently Assistant Manager at Manchester City Women, Lauren is a UEFA Pro Licence coach whose career has included leading England Women’s Under-19s and guiding Bristol City to promotion to the Women’s Super League.
Lauren previously worked with the FAW as part of the Cymru Women’s National Team coaching staff, helping support the continued development of the senior team and player pathway.
Her experience in elite performance, coach development and high-performance environments will provide valuable insight as the Council continues to support football at every level of the game.
Nana Baah
Nana Baah joins Council following almost two decades of coaching and leadership across Welsh domestic football.
As First Team Manager at Cardiff Draconians and a former FAW Coach Educator, Nana has developed players and coaches throughout the Welsh football pyramid while helping clubs progress both on and off the pitch.
Alongside his coaching career, Nana’s work with Show Racism the Red Card Wales reflects his commitment to equality, inclusion and creating positive football environments.
His understanding of grassroots football, coach education and club development will ensure the experiences of coaches throughout Welsh football are strongly represented.
Supporters’ Representatives
Dr Penny Miles
Dr Penny Miles has spent decades following Cymru home and away and has become one of the leading voices in supporter engagement within Welsh football.
A supporter of both the Cymru men’s and women’s national teams, Penny is co-founder of Wal Goch y Menywod, helping establish and grow the women’s national team supporter movement.
She has also served on the FAW Equality Advisory Group since 2019 and is currently Co-Vice Chair, contributing to discussions around equality, diversity and inclusion across Welsh football.
Alongside her work as a lecturer and researcher, Penny’s academic work explores Welsh football fandom, national identity and supporter culture, giving her a unique understanding of how football connects communities across Wales.
Gareth Watts
Joining Penny is Gareth Watts, whose appointment combines a lifelong passion for Welsh football with extensive board-level governance experience.
A member of The Red Wall for more than 35 years and an FAW Accredited Football Leader, Gareth has supported football from international level through to grassroots clubs in his local community.
Professionally, Gareth is Director of Corporate Governance and Board Secretary at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board and has held numerous senior governance roles across the public sector.
His expertise in governance, accountability, strategic planning and organisational leadership will bring significant strength to the Council’s work, while ensuring supporters remain at the centre of decision-making.
Players’ Representatives
Ben Davies
One of the most respected figures in Welsh football, Cymru captain Ben Davies joins the Council bringing the perspective of an elite player who has represented his country throughout one of the most successful eras in the men’s national team’s history.
Having experienced major international tournaments, Premier League football and the demands placed upon modern players, Ben’s leadership and first-hand understanding of the professional game will ensure the player voice remains central to the future development of Welsh football.
Charl Galloway
Charl Galloway brings a unique combination of playing experience, governance expertise and a passion for making football more inclusive.
Currently playing in the Genero Adran South, Charl has experienced the continued growth of the women’s domestic game first-hand, while also recognising the challenges facing clubs and players across the football pyramid.
Charl founded the Her Game Too Training Centre, creating opportunities for women and girls to access football in welcoming and inclusive environments.
An Independent Member of the FAW Equality Advisory Group and former Chair of Cardiff Dragons FC, Wales’ first LGBTQ+ football club, Charl combines extensive community football experience with a professional career in business analysis, project delivery and organisational governance.
Their experience will provide an important player perspective while strengthening the Council’s understanding of inclusion, participation and the continued growth of women’s football.
Youth Council Representatives
Eleeza Khan
Eleeza Khan joins the FAW Council as Chair of the FAW Youth Council, bringing a passion for ensuring football is accessible to everyone, regardless of their background.
A strong advocate for increasing opportunities for girls within the game, Eleeza is committed to breaking down the stigma that girls from her community cannot participate in football.
She is already leading by example, having recently qualified as a grassroots football referee while continuing to champion greater representation and participation within the sport.
Beyond football, Eleeza is an active volunteer with organisations including Cardiff Youth Service, SEF Cymru and ACE Cymru, demonstrating her commitment to supporting young people and strengthening communities.
Her appointment ensures the perspectives of the next generation will play an important role in shaping the future of Welsh football.
Begw Elain
Joining Eleeza on the FAW Council is Begw Elain, Deputy Chair of the FAW Youth Council, whose experience reflects a longstanding commitment to volunteering and grassroots football.
Having volunteered at her local club from a young age, Begw has undertaken a variety of roles, serving on club committees, acting as accounts officer and, most recently, leading the club’s media activity as media officer.
This breadth of experience has given her a valuable understanding of the commitment and dedication that underpins grassroots football across Wales.
Begw has also recently taken part in the FAW’s Be Football Mentoring Programme, developing her confidence, communication and leadership skills while strengthening her ability to work confidently in both Welsh and English.
Her appointment ensures that the experiences of young volunteers and grassroots clubs are represented at the highest level of Welsh football governance.
Why these appointments matter
These appointments are about much more than filling positions on the FAW Council.
They represent another important step in delivering the Together Stronger for the Future governance reforms, ensuring the organisation’s leadership better reflects the modern game in Wales and the people who make it thrive every day.
Together, the eight new Council Members represent the breadth of Welsh football.
From a Cymru captain and elite coaches to grassroots volunteers, supporter advocates, governance professionals, equality champions and young leaders, each appointment brings a different perspective and set of skills.
Collectively, they strengthen the FAW Council with expertise spanning elite performance, coach education, player welfare, supporter engagement, governance, inclusion, community development and youth representation.
As Welsh football continues to grow on and off the pitch, these new Council Members will play an important role in helping shape the next chapter of the game’s development and ensuring the future of football in Wales is guided by a Council that is more representative, more diverse and richer in expertise than ever before.
