The Football Association of Wales is pleased to announce the appointment of Ian Rush MBE as its Advisor and Football Ambassador, with a mission of promoting Welsh football on both the local and global stages.
As the Cymru Men’s National Team stand on the cusp of making their first appearance at a FIFA World Cup since 1958, the former Cymru and Liverpool legend is delighted to be playing a part in the growth of the game here in Wales.
Rush said: “Football is now the number one sport in Wales and we are building a fantastic reputation at home and abroad, which we must continue to build upon. The FAW is becoming a modern, progressive leader of the game and I am delighted to front this movement.”
Rush was born in St Asaph, Flintshire and was capped 73 times for Cymru, scoring 28 goals. This was a goalscoring record for Cymru that was not broken until 2018, by no other than Gareth Bale.
The goalscoring hero enjoyed a successful club career at Liverpool, where he won multiple league titles, FA Cups and two Champions League wins. Rush, therefore, knows the important role that football can play in people’s lives and is eager to use the interest around the World Cup to further show the benefits of the game.
“The FIFA World Cup is a great opportunity,” Rush added. “It provides us with a fantastic chance to promote our nation on the biggest stage of them all and I will be working hard to capitalise on this.
“We must ensure that football is grown in every village and town across Wales by building the structures and resources required to support our clubs, schools and partners.”
FAW Chief Executive, Noel Mooney is excited to see Ian Rush appointed to this new role and commented: “We are delighted to welcome Ian to an important role within the FAW Family. Using his immense football experience and his wonderful reputation, we will build key relationships across the footballing world.
“Ian is a proud Welshman and it will be great to work together and bring Cymru to the world stage.”
The new role for Ian Rush commences with immediate effect and the former Cymru international will be part of the Welsh delegation that will travel to Qatar in November for the FIFA World Cup.
