Cardiff Council has welcomed a new five‑year plan developed in collaboration with the Cymru Football Foundation and Football Association of Wales.
New Local Football Facility Plans have been launched across Wales to help meet growing demand for football and improve the quality, accessibility and sustainability of football facilities in communities.
Developed by the Cymru Football Foundation (CFF) in partnership with the Football Association of Wales (FAW), the plans have been created in collaboration with all 22 local authorities in Wales, to identify local priorities for new and improved football facilities.
The plans respond to a significant rise in participation since the CFF was established in 2022, including:
- a 21% increase in registered players overall
- a 47% increase in women and girls’ participation
- a 36% increase in youth players
- a 114% increase in players with a disability
Each Local Football Facility Plan sets out a five‑year vision to address current and future demand, guided by four national investment priorities:
- 3G artificial grass pitches (AGPs)
- Natural grass pitches
- Off‑pitch and ancillary facilities
- Small‑sided recreational football facilities
Plans were shaped through an extensive consultation process involving local councils, area associations, grassroots clubs and wider partners, including other national governing bodies and Active Partnerships. Grassroots football clubs played a central role, with more than 50% of clubs across Wales providing feedback, representing around 70% of all registered players.
For Cardiff Council the plan identifies existing and potential sites where targeted investment will:
- Support the continued growth of women’s and girls’ football
- Improve experiences for players, volunteers and spectators
- Future‑proof facilities through more environmentally sustainable design
- Prioritise areas of greatest need
- Maximise partnership funding opportunities to accelerate delivery
Aled Lewis, Director of the Cymru Football Foundation, said: “We’re excited to reveal our local football facility plans to help shape the future of facility investment across Cymru. Together with the Football Association of Wales, we’re committed to delivering high-quality facilities to communities that need them most.
“These plans will shape future conversations and partnerships with football clubs, leagues, Area Associations and Local Authorities to successfully implement and deliver priority facility projects and we’re looking forward to working together to invest into facilities that will have a positive impact.”
Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, Cllr Jennifer Burke, said: “With 13,000 registered players and 95 clubs, football is already Cardiff’s most popular sport – and its popularity, particularly among women and girls, continues to grow. It’s fantastic to see so much enthusiasm for sport across the city.
“Our challenge now is to ensure that all those players have access to good quality pitches and facilities. The launch of Cymru Football Foundation’s Local Football Facility Plan for Cardiff is an important step towards that goal.”
