Our Wales | Ein Cymru

Creating inspirational and fit-for-future facilities is one of the six strategic pillars detailed in Our Wales that the FAW believes can deliver the vision of becoming a global, local Wales.

The new strategy also sets ambitious goals to grow participation of registered players by a third to 120,000 and to double the size of the women’s game by 2026.

The FAW’s commitment to doubling the women’s game not only includes a doubling of participation but a pledge to double its fan base and investment to further accelerate the growth of the game, as detailed in the women and girls’ strategy for 2021–26, Our Wales: For Her.

Growing the game

As the association looks to grow the game through the delivery of its new strategy, the FAW has utilised the UEFA Grow social return on investment (SROI) model to measure the impact of grassroots football on the Welsh economy.

The Value of Welsh Football Study has found players across the country currently generate over £553 million each year, broken down as a £263 million direct contribution to the Welsh economy, a more than £206 million healthcare saving and an almost £84 million economic impact of social benefits.

The UEFA Grow SROI findings have been key for the FAW to determine the real value of football to Wales, both in monetary and social terms, while reaffirming football’s contribution to Welsh society.

The FAW’s strategic plan can be viewed at Our.Cymru

This article originally appeared in UEFA Direct 196