GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL WORTH £550M+ TO WALES

The Value of Welsh Football Study has found players across the country currently generate over £553 million each year, broken down as a £263 million direct contribution to the Welsh economy, a more than £206 million healthcare saving and an almost £84 million economic impact of social benefits. By 2026, projections show the overall contribution would rise to £692m each year if the targets of ‘Our Wales’, the new vision and strategic plan for Welsh football, are met.

Based on the UEFA Social Return on Investment (SROI) model, the survey breaks down the game’s contribution in areas including volunteering (£56.81 million), player spending (£47.11 million), subjective wellbeing (£176.97 million) and many other outcomes.

While 100s of thousands of adults and children take part in football across Wales, the detailed research is only based on the 90,000 players and 18,000 volunteers registered with the FAW. Demand to play the game has grown as Wales moves out of COVID-19 lockdowns, with over 700 players on club waiting lists in Cardiff alone.

Noel Mooney, FAW CEO said: “The FAW has been around since 1876 but this is the first time we’ve been able to put a figure on the true economic and social value of participation in football. If you’re one of the thousands of us across Wales who’s played the game, you’ve long known that football’s much more than a game, much more than kicking a ball around. The impact on your head, on your heart and in bringing communities together is something that lasts long after the whistle’s blown.

“The UEFA Grow SROI findings have been key to us determining the real value of football to Wales, both in monetary and social terms. The insight from this evaluation reaffirms football’s contribution to Welsh society and it comes at a crucial time for the Association as we look to grow the game through the delivery of our new strategy. We’re ambitious and want to work in partnership to deliver an inclusive and accessible game. At the heart of everything is the availability of quality facilities for the grassroots game and we’re already working with local authorities and other partners who understand how investment can benefit the whole of Welsh society.”

www.faw.cymru/en/news/grassroots-football-worth-550-wales/