The Football Association of Wales is celebrating the unsung heroes of Welsh football in a special edition episode of FC Cymru, showcasing how its Grassroots Strategy Enhancing Lives Through Football is being adopted across the country.
Launched in 2024, the six-year strategy focuses on building a thriving, inclusive and sustainable football community by improving facilities, supporting volunteers, tackling poor behaviour, and ensuring club sustainability.
This special episode begins in Neath with FAW Grassroots Manager of Disability and Inclusion, Dai Carpenter, as he highlights the restart of competitive disability football. This feature, amongst others, underscores the power of football to create opportunities and change lives. FC Cymru’s latest episode further highlights inspiring stories from across Wales, including:
- Undy AFC: Championing inclusivity and community support.
- Cambrian Village Trust: Showcasing their innovative sustainability initiatives, that benefit both the environment and the local community.
- Newtown AFC: Upgrading floodlights with Cymru Football Foundation funding.
- North Wales Coast FA: Enhancing referee recruitment and retention with training and support for the referee community.
- CPD Felinfach, Rogerstone AFC, Meliden FC & Ponthir FC: Showcasing the importance of fit-for-purpose facilities.
Cymru Manager Rhian Wilkinson reflected on the importance of grassroots football and said: “As we grow, we are a small country in Wales, but that can’t be a reason as to why we aren’t taking care of the grassroots landscape. In fact, it is the reason why we have to take care of the game at every level.
“It is lovely to see it happening here [at Ponthir FC] and I hope to see it more and more across the country. This is the exciting thing for me as someone who comes in at the top of the football pyramid, it only works when the bottom is healthy and thriving.”
The FAW recognises the invaluable contributions of volunteers who keep Welsh football thriving. To support them, the FAW has expanded its Grassroots Team and the Football Services Centre, whilst working closely with the Cymru Football Foundation to provide funding, training, and resources.
Watch all episodes of FC Cymru right now on RedWall+.
