The Football Association of Wales is to invest over £6million into the JD Cymru Premier, the largest ever single investment into Wales’ top-flight league.
The investment for development of the league is available now until the end of the 2026/27 season.
In December 2023, the FAW appointed Jack Sharp as Head of Domestic Leagues which was the first step in the implementation of the JD Cymru Premier strategy that is based on consultations with key stakeholders including clubs, supporters and media.
This funding provides the foundations of delivering this strategy and is a key element prior to the timelines being publicly launched in the coming months.
Jack Sharp, FAW Head of Domestic Leagues, said: “It is fantastic to be able to bring this level of investment into the JD Cymru Premier, to start creating stronger outcomes for the league and our clubs who have been fundamental in this process.
“These funds will allow us to build the profile, quality, and structure of our game on and off the field, to help raise collective standards and connections with local communities.
“Over the next four years, it is vitally important that we work towards developing a high-performing league, with a clear identity, that the country can connect to and be proud of the JD Cymru Premier and the domestic football pyramid.
“Since I have started my role at the FAW, the level of work that has already gone on behind the scenes towards formulating the strategy has been clear to see and everyone will see positive changes implemented very soon.”
Noel Mooney, FAW CEO, said: “A huge amount of work has gone into the consultation process of formulating the JD Cymru Premier strategy. We are very excited to reveal our timelines for fundamental change to raise the profile of our top-flight league.
“This is significant funding and the biggest commitment to the JD Cymru Premier in its 32-year history. Football is the number one interest sport in Cymru and the FAW wants to make the JD Cymru Premier a key pillar in this.”
Mike Harris, Chairman of 15-time JD Cymru Premier Champions The New Saints, said:
“The recent news on six million pounds of funding being injected into the Welsh game by the FAW is highly encouraging to hear. Any investment that helps grow the infrastructure for clubs is vitally important to help continue to move the domestic game to the next level. We look forward to hearing further details from the FAW on how this funding will be invested to help supporting the overall growth of the game in Wales.
“It is crucial for Welsh clubs to flourish on the European stage. This ultimately helps build the reputation, commercial viability and audience for our domestic league, so we hope this funding will allow both The New Saints and other clubs in Wales continue to grow and proudly represent the nation in elite competition. Investment is growing across many of Europe’s domestic leagues, so it’s vital that we bridge the gap as much as possible in order for Welsh teams to be as competitive as possible both in our own domestic league and against clubs from nations across the continent.
“As a club, The New Saints have continuously invested to ensure we continue to grow on and off the pitch, from our men’s senior team down to a Category A Academy structure to create a pathway of talent in Wales for generations to come, to investing in world class facilities that match those we compete with in Europe each season. This all ultimately has the end goal of The New Saints continuing to be the catalyst to grow Welsh football and competing at the highest possible level in European competition.”
