The UEFA Under-19 Championship trophy has been touring Cymru in the build-up to this summer’s tournament, which will be hosted in the north of the country between 28 June-11 July. FAW staff have showcased the trophy in domestic and grassroots football settings as well as visiting schools and large-scale events.
The roadshow kicked off 77 days before the tournament’s opening game with a trip to the JD Welsh Cup Final in Newport, contested between two north Wales teams in Flint Town United and Caernarfon Town, who’s Oval stadium will host group B games featuring Italy, Croatia and Serbia at this summer’s European Championships.
The trophy was also showcased at Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground, which will host Cymru’s group A matches, a semi-final and the final on 11 July. Over 10,000 were in attendance to see the trophy at Wrexham AFC’s final home league fixture of the season before an appearance at a women and girl’s football festival gave participants the opportunity to learn more about the tournament ahead of Cymru WNT’s World Cup Qualifier against Albania.
Regional grassroots events followed throughout April and May alongside visits to schools and local clubs to inspire the next generation who will have the opportunity to watch Ewrop’s rising stars on their doorstep in June and July. As well as hosting three group B matches and a FIFA U20 World Cup Playoff during the tournament, Bangor City Stadium hosted some of these events, connecting the trophy tour to the tournament itself.
Colwyn Bay’s Prom Xtra gave members of the public the opportunity to have a photo with the trophy as tournament wallcharts were also handed out at a large-scale event for the first time. The Eisteddfod yr Urdd took place on Ynys Môn a few weeks later, giving tens of thousands of young people and families from across the country another opportunity to have their photo taken with the trophy and learn more about the tournament with wallcharts being handed out throughout the week at the FAW’s stall.
Disability football events in north and central Wales alongside collaboration with local organisations ensured the trophy tour had a significant impact nationwide as well as in the councils and cities that will host tournament matches.
The trophy concluded its tour by vising schools in Denbigh, where group A games featuring Germany, Spain and Denmark and a semi-final will take place.
Interacting with tens of thousands of people across 40 individual events, the trophy tour has raised awareness of the tournament across the region, and the arrival of Ewrop’s rising stars has been promoted to inspire participation in the sport across playing, coaching, refereeing and volunteering, ensuring the tournament has a positive long-term impact and legacy on grassroots football in Wales.
Steve Thomas, Regional Development Manager for north Wales at the FAW, said: “Football is at the heart of communities across the region and country and by taking the UEFA Under-19 trophy into those communities, we’ve been able to connect the tournament to local people. We hope this connection will inspire participation and engagement both across the region and nationwide, creating a real legacy for the tournament.”
Tickets on sale
Secure your seat now for U19 Euro
