A number of new FAW initiatives filled the calendar year and benefitted communities across the country in 2025 through increased funding, partnerships and participation.
In fact, independent research demonstrated that football is now the largest team sport in Wales in terms of interest and participation for both men and women. Here are just some of the many different initiatives and programmes that were launched and built upon during 2025.
The year began with the announcement that EE would continue to be exclusive lead partner of the FAW and the other home nations until 2028. It is a partnership that has enabled FAW to elevate the game in Wales and make a positive difference in society.
“At EE, we pride ourselves on our longstanding partnerships with the UK’s leading cultural institutions, investing in the things that matter most to our customers,” said Pete Jeavons, Marketing Communications Director at EE.
February marked both LGBTQ+ history month and the campaign month of Football v Homophobia to ensure that football is a game for all. In support of the campaign, the UEFA Nations League match between Cymru and Sweden was dedicated to the campaign.
“As Cymru players we want to utilise our platform to champion inclusivity in football and across society,” explained Cymru captain Angharad James. “It’s important that everyone feels welcome and safe in our sport and this sends a clear message that football is for everyone.”
The month also signalled the start of the Captain Only policy that would be introduced across all levels of the game, while Cheryl Foster announced her retirement from refereeing after an exceptional career. Foster had previously played for Cymru before taking up with the whistle and officiating at the very highest level.
“Obviously it’s something that I’ve thought about for a while and I’ve gone through a number of emotions in deciding what I’m going to do next,” said Foster. “But when it’s in your head and it’s in your heart that it’s the right decision, then I think it’s the right time.”
February saw the launch of the PAWB Mentoring Programme. An entry-level programme designed to support and inspire individuals from Black, Asian, Mixed-Heritage, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds who are interested in exploring opportunities within football.
The UEFA Women’s EURO trophy was on show across the country during March ahead of Cymru’s debut at the finals in Switzerland, while additional funding was obtained from the UK Government to support the continuing work of the Cymru Football Foundation in improving facilities.
“It is fantastic to welcome further support from UK Government to invest in facilities across Wales as we strive to increase experiences and standards across the country,” said FAW CEO Noel Mooney. “We look forward to seeing the impact that this further funding will have on grassroots football in Wales.”
March also saw the introduction of CicStart, a new school framework in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust, while the FAW’s Sustainability Strategy saw the launch of the Green Goals Charter and Support for Level Playing Field’s Unite for Access campaign continued to help with access and inclusion.
Meanwhile, former Cymru international Joe Ledley showed his support for the Siarad Cymru campaign, a new initiative to encourage conversation about promoting an inclusive environment when it comes to following the national team to ensure it remains a safe space for all of the Red Wall.
A significant change to the FAW’s girl’s football development pathway was announced in April to comply with updated UEFA and FIFA regulations, while a new national walking football programme to support individuals with Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions was introduced.
In addition, the Cymru Football Foundation announced its Environments for Her funding plan to provide better off the field facilities for women and girls.
In May the Welsh Government announced that every football club in Wales will be able to access one of around 1,000 mental health awareness training places to help clubs support their coaches, players and their wider community.
Meanwhile, the annual National Coaches Conference was delivered to over 600 participants making it the largest event to date. Dedicated to coach education and professional development, it once again brought together top-level coaches, technical experts, and football professionals from around the world.
A busy summer began with the introduction of the Gêm For Her, Gêm For You initiative designed to encourage and inspire more women and girls to get involved in football, while Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson showed her support for Indigenous Women, defenders of the world’s tropical forests.
Cardiff City Stadium hosted the Football Welcomes Refugees Cymru Conference in June and formed part of the FAW’s ongoing commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and support for refugee inclusion through football.
Meanwhile, the FAW and the English FA announced a partnership to raise the standards of healthcare professionals taking part in football.The partnership will focus on delivering medical courses to final year university students in England and Wales and providing them with a desired qualification.
A new classroom bilingual resource entitled Ewro2025 was launched ahead to use Cymru’s qualification for the finals to inspire the next generation, while the FAW once again showed their support for Pride Cymru by attending the annual march through the capital.
In July the Cymru Football Foundation announced that over £1m had been awarded to over 70 clubs across the country during the latest Fit-For-Future Equipment Fund window, while the Amser Ni fund saw £50k in grant funding awarded in support of the development of girl’s football at clubs
A special milestone event was held at Dragon Park in August as part of a collaboration between the FAW and the FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS) to further develop the women’s game through the FIFA Talent Academy.
The action continued on the field during August as the inaugural All Wales Secondary School ALN Cup took place at Penybont FC, with schools from across Wales invited to take part in the very first edition of the new cup competition. Over 300 players were also at Aberystwyth Town FC for the Welsh Disability Football Championships.
Cymru goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel was the face of South Asian Heritage Month having become the first female of Asian origin to represent Cymru at a major tournament. Back at FAW HQ in Hensol, a major £3m extension to develop a high-performance environment was officially opened.
Aaron Ramsey was announced as the first Ambassador for the Cymru Football Foundation in September in what was an exciting month with the news that over £20m had now been awarded to projects across the country to deliver fit-for-future facilities.
“We’re extremely delighted to have supported the development of so many facilities across Cymru and reached an important milestone of £20m in direct investment into football facilities,” said Foundation Director Aled Lewis said. “These improved facilities are delivering significant benefit to our communities.”
The dedicated volunteers were recognised for their contribution to the game at the annual FAW McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards, while a new three-year partnership with Brecon Carreg to become the Official Water of the FAW was announced.
There was international recognition for the FAW in October with the For Us, For Them, For Her campaign delivered throughout EURO 2025 winning Best Women’s Football Initiative at the World Football Summit Awards.
“Cymru’s qualification for its first women’s major tournament marked an historic milestone for women and girls’ football in Wales,” said Bethan Woolley, the FAW’s Strategic Lead for Women and Girls Football. “It was essential that we seized this moment to inspire and engage women and girls across the nation.”
The Show Racism the Red Card Month of Action dominated the domestic game in October, while JD Cymru Premier clubs also looked to the future as announced their plans to unveil their five-year strategies. These announcements would coincide with the nationwide FAW Football Fforwm events, designed to help shape the future of the game in Wales.
The FAW and Admiral announced the extension of their Ready to Play partnership, and with it launched a new Girls Team Development Fund to help drive the formation of 150 new young girls’ teams by 2028. The FAW also confirmed that it had achieved Level 3 status against the Standards for Safeguarding and Protecting Children in and through Sport in Wales.
Earlier in the year it was announced that an independently led review entitled Project Chwarae would begin, exploring how to deliver a more resilient and enjoyable grassroots football experience across Wales. As a result, it was confirmed in November that a pilot league season concept would be introduced in March 2026.
Meanwhile, The Cymru Football Foundation launched the Stadia Improvement Fund to provide grants that support clubs in the Welsh football pyramid develop facilities on and off the field with a focus on four main priorities.
The Huddle programme continues to go from strength to strength since being introduced in 2019 as an introduction to football for girls aged between 4-11. There are now 84 registered Huddle providers across the country with over 1,000 girls participating on a weekly basis.
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin paid a visit to the FAW HQ in Hensol in November to understand more about the growth of football in Wales and long-term vision of the Association. The visit coincided with the news that Cardiff would host the opening match of EURO 2028.
It was a monumental year for women’s football in Cymru, and it was fitting that the year ended with the announcement that a major strategic milestone had been reached with over 20,000 registered female players.
“This milestone is a hugely proud moment for Welsh football,” said Mooney. “Surpassing 20,000 women and girls playing the game shows the incredible momentum we are seeing across the country, from our youngest players in Huddle sessions to our senior women representing Cymru on the European stage.”
There were also success stories off the field as the fourth year of the BE. Football Mentoring Programme saw the 18 mentors and 18 mentees come together to celebrate their achievements alongside key stakeholders and guests.
The Cymru Football Foundation ended their own exceptional year with the launch of a new five-year strategy, while the FAW and Ghana FA announced a new strategic partnership that will strengthen coach development, share best practice and explore future collaboration between the two nations.
The FAW will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2026 and it promises to be another exciting year of progress with a launch of a new strategic plan in addition to hosting both the International Football Association Board (IFAB) and the UEFA U19 EURO Championships.
The year will also see the JD Cymru Premier increased to 16 clubs and VAR being introduced, while the future direction of the Genero Adran Premier will also be set out in the first ever bespoke strategy for the top division of women’s football in Wales.
There will of course be plenty of action on the field too as Craig Bellamy’s side look to succeed in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Play-Offs that will take place in March. Meanwhile, Rhian Wilkinson leads her side into the first stage of qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
