2025 brought better pitches, better facilities and more opportunities for communities across Cymru as we continue to transform the landscape of grassroots football.
Football is the most popular and most accessible sport in the country and we’ve been working to bring grassroots facilities up to the standard they need to be.
In a year where our total investment into facilities across the country topped £20million, the CFF officially opened six new natural turf pitches, 11 new artificial pitches and 5 new community hubs with inclusive changing facilities.
Trefelin Boys and Girls Club
In February, we welcomed Jo Stevens – Secretary of State for Wales – to unveil a brand-new small-sided 3G at Trefelin BGC.
An investment of just over £360,000 was made to create a state-of-the-art facility at Ynys Park, allowing the clubs 200+ junior players to train and play all year round.
Since opening, the club has welcomed almost double the amount of registered players from 2024/25.
“Since the opening of our 3G facility at the start of the year it has made a huge impact at our club for all ages from our juniors right through to Walking Football.
“The facility is not only used by our club but the wider community as well. It’s very much brought a different dynamic to our club especially at night with the floodlights and children enjoying our beautiful game all year round,” said Chair at Trefelin BGC, Martyn Wagstaff.
A hub for junior football in the area, the future is looking bright for grassroots football in Port Talbot.
Abermule Community Centre
In April, a refurbished multi-sport facility opened its doors at Abermule Community Centre in mid-Wales thanks to a £100,000 investment into derelict tennis courts.
With a population of around 900 people, the community lacked a high-quality facility suitable for sport. Working in collaboration with the community centre, a refresh has created a vibrant space for the football club, primary school and wider community to enjoy.
Terry Wain, a Trustee at Abermule Community Centre said:
“The new multi-sport area provides a first-class, safe facility for football, tennis, netball and other sports. The whole community will benefit and already the growth of ladies’ football has been amazing – many thanks to CFF, Sport Wales and to all those who have supported the project.”
A safe, inspiring facility for the community to be proud of.
CPD Talysarn Celts
In June, we were joined by Cymru Women National Team Manager Rhian Wilkinson and Goalkeeper Olivia Clark in Talysarn, north Wales.
Fresh from announcing her squad for Euro 2025 in Switzerland, Wilkinson was on hand to open two grass pitches created thanks to a six-figure investment by the Foundation.
Already seeing a rise in both senior and junior registrations, the club now boast some of the best natural turf facilities in the county.
Chair at the Celts, Alun Fon-Williams said:
“The financial support that the club has received through the CFF and Cyngor Gwynedd towards the project has been absolutely invaluable. The project has secured the club’s long-term future, a future that will now enable us to bring everyone who is part of our ‘football community’ together here at Gloddfa Glai.”
A huge boost to local football and an exciting future ahead.
Pitch Advisory Service Wales
Working closely with the Grounds Management Association, it’s been a bumper year for the Pitch Advisory Service (PAS) Wales.
Set up to improve natural turf pitches across Cymru, PAS Wales has supported a plethora of clubs and organisations with guidance and advice on how to improve the standard of their pitches:
- 170 site visits carried out across the country
- 230+ pitches supported through visits or reports
- 206 pitches Performance Quality Standard (PQS) tested
- 350+ registrations for PAS Wales education sessions
The CFF also launched our first five-year strategy: Closer to the Game – our plan to become Wales’ most impactful sporting charity.
Our ambition is to put quality football facilities within 15 minutes of every community in Wales, giving priority to those who need it most.
Here’s to 2026!
