A major leap forward for grassroots and community football in north Wales has taken place this week with the announcement of the ambitious Football Facilities Partner Strategy (FFPS).
The first initiative of its kind in Wales, on Tuesday (01/07/25) Wrexham proudly launched the FFPS, aimed at transforming the football provision across the county.
The official launch event took place at Rhosnesni High School, home to a state-of-the-art 3G pitch opened in 2024, with representatives from local partners, schools, clubs, and national sporting bodies in attendance as well as former Cymru captain kevin Ratcliffe.
Chief Executive at the FAW Noel Mooney said “Football is growing rapidly across Cymru. “To cater for this need, we need a lot of new pitches and changing rooms.
“The FAW today launch our grassroots facilities strategy with Wrexham Council to map out how we will achieve this in the Wrexham region – a hotbed of Welsh football.
“We will ensure we have a similar join vision with each of the 22 Local Authorities to ensure girls and boys across Cymru get the opportunity to reach their full potential.
“Over the past 3 years, we have invested more than £20,000,000 in facilities across Cymru and we look forward to working with every community to support them in their ambitions.”
The Wrexham FFPS has been developed through collaboration between Wrexham County Borough Council (WCBC), the FAW, the North East
Wales Football Association (NEWFA), Cymru Football Foundation (CFF) and Wrexham Association Football Club (WAFC). The strategy outlines a shared vision to improve, expand, and sustain high-quality football facilities across Wrexham, ensuring they are accessible, inclusive, and future-ready.
Leader of Wrexham Council and Chair of the partnership Cllr Mark Pritchard said “Football is part of Wrexham’s identity and this strategy is about ensuring our facilities reflect our passion for the game—from grassroots to elite pathways. “We’re delighted to be united as a team and working alongside our partners to deliver real tangible improvements that will positively impact our communities.”
The opening of the 3G pitch at Rhosnesni High School is one of several success stories highlighted in the strategy, providing a high-quality, year-round playing surface that benefits both school and community users.
The launch event also featured football demonstrations and speeches from key partners, with the strategy document publicly shared.
