Welsh football is calling for a £150 million investment in grassroots facilities by 2030, with the Cymru Football Foundation (CFF) and the Football Association of Wales (FAW) jointly unveiling a series of Local Football Facility Plans.

These set out a blueprint for upgrading community football infrastructure across every local authority area in Wales before that deadline in three and a half years’ time.

The strategy comes amid unprecedented growth in the grassroots game, particularly among women and girls, with the existing facilities struggling to keep pace with that deepening demand.

The plans, released on Monday, identify priority sites for investment and focus on four main areas: 3G artificial grass pitches, natural grass pitches, off-pitch facilities such as changing rooms and clubhouses, and small-sided recreational football spaces.

Since its launch in 2022, the CFF has invested around £27 million into Welsh grassroots infrastructure. They point to that investment as a catalyst for registered participation, which has increased by 21% nationwide, including a 47% rise in women and girls playing football, a 36% increase in youth players and a 114% growth in participation among players with disabilities.

More than half of all grassroots clubs contributed to the new facility plans, representing almost 70% of registered players across Wales.

Aled Lewis, Director of the Cymru Football Foundation, said: “Together with the Football Association of Wales, we’re committed to delivering high-quality facilities to communities that need them most.”

FAW chief executive Noel Mooney said: “Investing in facilities is essential for the future of the game across Cymru – demand is at an all-time high and these local football facility plans are our strategy to provide essential positive, safe environments for our grassroots players to thrive.

“We know that these improved facilities will have far-reaching benefits for communities beyond the pitch, supporting positive health and wellbeing, providing an economic boost and encouraging a greater sense of community pride.”

Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at [email protected]