On the morning if announcing his 26 man squad for the 2022 World Cup Cymru manager Rob Page opened a new 3G pitch at Penyrenglyn Primary School.
As part of the opening, there was a football festival featuring children from various primary schools in the area. Page who was raised in nearby Tylorstown took part in some the of the activities. He also held d a Q&A session with some of the children.
The event coincides with the squad announcement for this year’s World Cup which will see Cymru participate for the first time since 1958.
Page spoke with the assembled media to discuss the new facilities and the importance of grassroots football. He said: “Without grassroots football, I wouldn’t be still here today talking to you.
“I played, albeit in the other Valley Tylorstown, I played for Tylorstown Boys Club, and I played every Sunday. I played with a goalkeeper called Neil Cooper, who is Steve Cooper’s brother.
“His dad was the league referee, Keith Cooper, and he knew Tom Wally, who was at Watford at the time. He’s from north Wales and it was that connection that got me an opportunity to go up and have a trial.
“So without playing for Tylorstown boys club and having that opportunity. I wouldn’t have had a career in football without a doubt. So they are really, really important. I’m so pleased that we’ve got facilities to offer the young kids like we have today”
Page spoke about how these new facilities could be where the next Aaron Ramsey or Gareth Bale comes from.
“Yeah, without pitches like this with other facilities without being able to offer these kids this opportunity, we’re not going to get the next generation of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey’s through the doors.”
Page also said that there is more to come in terms of facilities as the FAW look to build the grassroots game.
“We are trying to invest more money into grassroots and and give expose kids to more facilities like this. And changing facilities where we can get, you know, the young girls involved in the game from a young age as well.
“And offer those facilities to change, not just the pictures. So really important because without this we don’t get that conveyor belt the players coming through.”
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