Wales given five-star backing from UEFA
By Effective Communication
Welsh football has received a big boost from UEFA after receiving a five-star rating from its scheme to develop grass roots football.
Following four-star success last summer, the Welsh Football Trust – charged by the FAW with grassroots football development in Wales – has helped the governing body to become recognised as one of the top proponents of grass roots football in Europe.
Wales has been awarded the prestigious five stars out of a maximum seven, after impressing a panel of UEFA assessors with its projects to promote youth, girls and disability football throughout the country.
So far only nine countries have achieved the five-star rating since UEFA introduced the Charter in 2004.
And the Welsh Football Trust has been further encouraged after taking part in several Study Visits to fellow UEFA Grassroots Charter countries as well as acting as a host nation for the visits which serve to share best practice amongst member associations.
Following successful UEFA funded trips to Denmark, Holland and Norway, and playing host to visitors Malta and Cyprus, Welsh Football Trust Chief Executive Neil Ward said that people in Wales could be confident that football development work in the Principality is on a par with the best in the world.
The Study Visits aim to educate UEFA member countries on the grassroots development programmes that are being successfully implemented elsewhere and to encourage the sharing of good practice in the implementation of grassroots and youth football.
Welsh Football Trust Chief Executive Neil Ward said: “UEFA’s five-star recognition is a reflection of the huge strides being made in Welsh football” sad Neil.
“This recent upgrading of the FAW’s UEFA Grassroots Charter status reflects the success of Welsh Football Trust development programmes and the hard work and commitment of coaches and volunteers throughout the Country to quality coaching, improving facilities and ensuring that football can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of their gender, age, ability or ethnic origin.”
Tags: UEFA, Welsh Football Trust
