The Football Association of Wales has revealed an ambitious new ten-year strategic plan titled Llunio Cymru, outlining targets to significantly increase participation, improve infrastructure, and elevate the performance of its national teams on the global stage. Chief executive Noel Mooney has called for greater financial backing from the Welsh Government and local authorities to achieve these sweeping developmental goals.
The strategic framework builds upon previous successes, which saw registered players increase from 80,000 to 120,000 following goals set in 2021. The governing body now aims to push total registered participation to 160,000 while introducing critical measures to support elite talent pathways, referee recruitment, and community health initiatives across Wales over the next decade.
Strategic Goals and Participation Targets
The governing body has outlined specific benchmarks designed to transform the landscape of the sport across the country through grassroots development and elite performance metrics. Key focus areas include expanding the player base, establishing better academies, and ensuring quality infrastructure is accessible to every local community.
- Double the number of registered women and girls playing football in Wales by 2035 to reach 40,000 participants.
- Deliver 100 new or upgraded pitches by 2030, ensuring quality facilities are within 15 minutes of every community.
- Return the men’s national team to the top 20 of the Fifa world rankings and reach major tournament knock-out stages.
- Ensure 80 percent of men’s and women’s national team players are regular starters in the world’s top five leagues.
Funding Challenges and Elite Development
While the association’s revenues have approached 50 million pounds bolstered by international distributions, Mooney emphasized that current capital expenditure from regional government bodies remains insufficient. Addressing a reported 150 million pound deficit in facility requirements is seen as vital for long-term health and sporting success. Additionally, the association plans to work closely with domestic clubs to establish elite category academies, aiming to consistently produce top-tier talent for the national setup.
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