Page 6 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.9 2021-22

FAW launch new strategy

The Football Association of Wales have this week released their women and girls’ strategy for
2021-2026, with a mission to create the best environment, support structures and
opportunities to accelerate the growth of women’s football, to make it reach its full potential.
Titled “Our Wales: For Her, Ein Cymru: Amdani Hi”, the six-year strategy details a
vision to inspire confidence in women & girls to be their best self.
Ahead of Cymru’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifier against Estonia at Cardiff City
Stadium, the FAW shared its specific targets for women and girls’ football in Wales, which are
set out to allow the game to grow faster, stronger and have a platform it deserves.
Last month the FAW released its new vision and strategic plan, ‘Our Wales, Ein Cymru’
which maps out the path ahead for Welsh Football and detailed a clear focus to double the size
of the women and girls’ game.
In recent years, the FAW has witnessed a 50% increase in participation, with now over
10,000 registered female players. Yet the FAW have set an ambitious goal to double that
number and have 20,000 women and girls playing football by 2026. By ensuring every girl has
the opportunity to be involved in football, the FAW look forward to working with partners
across Wales to guarantee the female game has the platform to reach its potential.
The FAW’s commitment to doubling the women’s game, not only includes a doubling of
participation, but a pledge to doubling its fan base and investment to further accelerate the
growth of the women and girls’ game.
FAW Head of Women’s and Girls' Football, Lowri Roberts said: “This is only the first half
for our game and with the increased investment and focus from the FAW, we aim to capitalise
on recent growth and momentum.
“We strive to inspire future generations through our Cymru national team and create
opportunities and environments where girls feel truly accepted in a sport that is for pawb.”
FAW CEO Noel Mooney added: ‘Women’s football is the fastest growing sport across Europe
and the biggest area of growth in Welsh football.
“We have set an ambitious target to double the participation and get 20,000 playing by
2026 and in order for us to ensure the game reaches its full potential, we are investing more as
a percentage of our turnover into our women’s programme than any other nation across Europe.”
To further strengthen its commitments set out in ‘Our Wales: For Her’, the FAW has
joined professional network Women in Football in their “#GetOnside” campaign by pledging
“to #GetOnside by doubling the participation, fanbase and investment into women and girls’
football in Wales.”
Women in Football CEO Jane Purdon said: "We are delighted to welcome the Football
Association of Wales into the #GetOnside family, where many organisations are pledging to
take action towards a fairer future for the game.
"The FAW's far-reaching new targets are a quantum leap for women and girls as both
players and supporters of football in Wales. We look forward to seeing this superb work bear
fruit."
Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport
Dawn Bowden said: “We are committed to
working with all governing bodies to improve
access to and participation in sports for
women and girls.
“I’m pleased to endorse the FAW’s
strategy – it has a really important role to set
the direction in one of the major sports in
Wales and the world. This is a fantastic
opportunity to be a genuine force for change in
the game.”
Issue no. 9 - 28 October 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk