FAW puts £3m into north Wales football for U19 Euros
Bangor's Nantporth Stadium will be among those to benefit from the investment
- Published
The Football Association of Wales (FAW) has announced £3m of investment into north Wales facilities as it prepares to host the 2026 Uefa men's Under-19 Championships.
The aim is to improve four match venues and seven training facilities.
The stadiums to benefit will be Nantporth Stadium, in Bangor; Central Park, Denbigh; The Oval, Caernarfon and Stok Cae Ras, Wrexham.
The training venues to receive funding are: Llanelian Road, Colwyn Bay; Colliers Park, Gresford; The Globe, Buckley; Memorial Playing Fields, Ruthin; Belle Vue, Rhyl; The New Oval, Holyhead and Cae Sling, Penmaenmawr.
FAW chief executive Noel Mooney said: "This is a significant investment from the association into facilities across north Wales and is another key step in building a Welsh football industry that represents a modern, progressive football nation.
"We are delighted to be able to invest our money into key football sites across north Wales."
The FAW says the UK government's Department of Culture, Media and Sport, along with the English Premier League, have also contributed to the under-19 championships investment.
The governing body also says the money will have an impact on its JD Cymru Premier League strategy as many of the venues which will receive funding either participate in, or aspire to join, the Welsh football's top tier.
This investment follows an announcement of £6m to develop Wales' domestic leagues, pledged by the FAW in the spring.
The men's U19 Euros will be used to celebrate the FAW's 150th anniversary.
Eight teams will compete at the finals, having progressed through two qualifying rounds to join hosts Wales.
The tournament is known for featuring stars of the future with new Real Madrid recruit Kylian Mbappe and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland having featured in previous editions.
The FAW say the investment is another element in its desire to grow football in Wales.
Recently the Cymru Football Foundation announced that since 2022 it has awarded £17m into projects across Wales to develop "fit-for-the-future" facilities.