The growth of women’s football in Wales could be “completely torn up” by the coronavirus pandemic, the chief executive of the Football Association of Wales has warned.
Jonathan Ford told Senedd members that clubs across Wales are facing many financial difficulties during these unprecedented times.
The Welsh Premier Women’s League season was brought to a halt due to the crisis before the FAW made the decision to curtail the campaign, which saw Swansea City crowned champions.
In March, the FAW Trust reported that a record 8.600 women and girls have signed up to football clubs across Wales, with football bosses confirming that the game has grown by 50% since 2016.
But Ford believes the work to grow women’s football in Wales could be undone.
“The growth that we’ve made in the women’s game could be totally torn up by this pandemic,” said Ford.
“There’s massive financial difficulties ahead and there’s conversations that we’re having in regards to making our way through it.
“We must look through different lenses at different aspects of the sport that we’re responsible for.”
The FAW Trust has an ambitious goal of 20,000 registered female players by 2024, and its Huddle initiative – which was launched in 2018 – aims to encourage girls between five and 12 to get involved in the sport.
And Jayne Ludlow’s national team have helped to increase participation levels following their success in recent years, which saw them come agonisingly close to reaching their first major tournament two years ago.
But away from the national team, Ford says the pandemic has brought great uncertainty for clubs due to the loss of matchday revenue.
“With domestic football in this country, we’re much more reliant on matchday income, such as gate receipts and the income they take from using their bars and facilities.
“That is fundamental to the success of those clubs and without that income there will definitely be some economic impact.”
Clubs in Wales have been out of action since March and there is currently no resumption date for the sport to return at a non-professional level.
(Featured image: Lewis Mitchell)
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