The Cymru Football Foundation is proud to launch our five-year strategy: Closer to the Game.
The CFF is working to become Wales’ most impactful sporting charity with the ambition of putting quality football facilities within 15 minutes of every community across Cymru.
Football is the most popular and most accessible sport in the country, yet too many of our communities still lack the facilities they need.
Quality and access remain inconsistent, particularly in rural areas and in communities facing the highest levels of deprivation.
By 2030, the CFF will:
• invest in facilities that support health, inclusion and community resilience
• convene partners from across health, education, housing and climate so that football facilities deliver wider social value
• Expand our impact by serving more communities, engaging more people and building stronger, more connected places across Cymru
• Focus on increasing access to facilities for women and girls, people with a disability and ethnically diverse communities
• Secure long-term funding while diversifying income through corporate partnerships, social investment and fundraising
We’ve already directly invested over £20million across the country, leading to a total investment of over £35m into improved facilities – benefitting over 35,000 players – with £8.5million of that going into Cymru’s most deprived communities since 2022.
Access to funded facilities for women and girls has increased by 56% and usage of pitches and clubhouses has increased by 93%.
Aled Lewis, Director at the Cymru Football Foundation said:
“We’re so proud to launch our next five year ever strategy and continue our journey of investing in and improving facilities across Cymru. This is an exciting new chapter for the Cymru Football Foundation, and we’re excited to continue to deliver facilities that our communities can be proud of.
“A huge thank you to the Football Association of Wales, U.K Government and the Premier League for their continued support and we look forward to working with new partners to deliver this strategy – this is a huge opportunity to shape the future of football facilities across Cymru for years to improve people’s wellbeing and bring communities together so they feel closer to the game.”
Aaron Ramsey, Ambassador for the Cymru Football Foundation said:
“It’s been a hugely successful first few years for the CFF and to see plans for the future that build on this is really exciting.
“I can’t wait to see more communities benefit from improved facilities and the positive impact it’ll have on the growth of Welsh football moving forward.”
