Cymru Manager Rob Page visited Treharris Athletic Western Mini and Junior Football Club last week to officially open new facilities funded by the Cymru Football Foundation.
Through the Football Association of Wales’ Grassroots Facilities Investment Fund, the CFF – with support from UK Government – were able to fund the installation of a new changing block that will act as a hub for home and away teams alongside match officials on match days, as well as new team shelters, goal posts and ball-stop fencing.
Prior to the £140,000 investment from the CFF, Treharris have been working hard to bring ‘The Athletic’ back from an overgrown, unused facility to become a hub for their young football teams and over 160 players. The new facilities will boost participation in the local area and benefit other community groups by creating a safe, welcoming environment for those who need it.
“Having grown up in the valleys it’s great to see that children falling in love with the game will do so in the best environment within their local community.”
Rob Page
Shown around the new facilities and meeting more than one hundred players and families associated with Treharris AWFC, Page was given an insight into how the club has progressed in recent times thanks to support from the CFF and work ethic of the volunteers who run the club behind the scenes.
Speaking at the event, Page said:
“It’s a privilege to open the new, state of the art facilities in Treharris and to meet the fantastic volunteers at the club. Having grown up in the valleys it’s great to see that children falling in love with the game will do so in the best environment within their local community. It’s clear to see the positive impact that the Cymru Football Foundation is having on grassroots football clubs around Wales.”
Kieron Jones, Chairman at Treharris AWFC said:
“We’re so grateful for the support of the CFF – these facilities have given us a home, an identity, and a base for our players to grow and develop in the future. We’ve been working so hard to restore The Athletic and this investment allows us to welcome more players into a safe environment for them to enjoy their football and boost participation in the local community.”
The CFF supports the development of football through investment and guidance as it delivers the FAW’s commitment to develop inspirational fit-for-future football facilities that will improve and grow Welsh football both on and off the pitch.
The next round of Fit-for-Future Facilities funding will be available for clubs to access in October 2023 – you can find out more about the CFF by clicking here.