The chief executive of the Football Association of Wales, Noel Mooney, has stated that he would be open to grassroots leagues trialling playing games in the summer. This comes after a winter in which 6,000 matches were called off due to weather conditions and inadequate facilities. Many youth football clubs have called for greater access to all-weather pitches, as existing facilities are often not fully utilised for logistical or cost reasons. Furthermore, some grass pitches are poorly maintained due to council budget cuts, leaving teams without adequate facilities to play on.
Mooney has urged governments and local authorities to consider the benefits of investing in improved access to sport, as the facilities for grassroots football in Wales are currently “pretty poor”. The FAW estimates that £498m is needed in the long term to improve facilities in the country, including on artificial pitches, pavilions and upgrading grass pitches. However, this amount is well beyond the means of the FAW, which has a fluctuating income stream.
Although some football enthusiasts feel that moving the games to the summer months may be a good solution to the problem, others disagree. One argument is that young athletes would have fewer opportunities to continue playing sports during the winter months. Additionally, summer football would lead to a break from tradition, as the sport has always been played during the winter months. Some believe that traditional grass pitches would be better utilised if better maintained, as the investment required may not be as significant as that required for artificial pitches.
Mooney believes that greater investment by governments and stakeholders in Welsh football is necessary if the country wants to reap the benefits that come with being active in sport. He warns that a lack of investment may result in negative consequences on many levels, including economic ones. The FAW is open to the idea of different parts of Wales or different age groups trialling the idea of summer football, though it will ultimately be up to leagues and clubs to decide if they wish to do so
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