Developing football in Andorra
Article summary
The Andorran Football Federation was founded in 1994 after political developments in the region resulted in independence for the eastern Pyrenean state.
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Overview
The Andorran Football Federation (FAF) sees its biggest current mission as bringing the public closer to the game and encouraging higher attendances at club and national-team matches; a strong media and social media strategy is also helping to drive growing attendances at stadiums.
A new national strategy established goals for the association, with key targets including:
- Developing a marketing campaign (referees and coaches)
- Organising capacity-building and knowledge-exchange sessions between senior clubs and association staff
- Developing an event and fan-engagement plan for men’s and women’s national team games.
"We have created the 2021-24 Strategic Plan to focus on transparency, and the improvement of our infrastructure and our human resources. The Strategic Plan represents our commitment to continuing to grow as an organisation. It’s a significant and ambitious plan which will bring qualitative and quantitative improvement.”
Important steps towards encouraging interest in the women’s team have come through the creation of FAF-run social media profiles for the players, regular news updates via the FAF’s website and the streaming of national team games. The same communications strategy is now being used for both the men’s and women’s teams.
"We want football to have a positive impact on society. The Strategic Plan includes improvements at national and international level, with the aim of improving our place in the world ranking."
UEFA support
UEFA’s HatTrick programme, which channels EURO funds into football development across Europe, has helped the FAF to make major improvements to Andorra’s footballing infrastructure.
HatTrick funding underpinned the construction of the FAF Football Village at La Massana, not far from Andorra La Vella, which includes a full-sized artificial pitch plus futsal arena and a mini-pitch, with dressing rooms, a gym, medical and meeting rooms.
The FAF National Training Centre, located in the centre of Andorra La Vella, also received UEFA support. It comprises two artificial pitches with a floodlight system, as well as dressing rooms, a gymnasium, a medical room and stands for spectators. UEFA will also help with the construction of a new national stadium and home for the FAF at Encamp.
Association history
National team history
President
Felix Álvarez
Nationality: Andorran
Date of birth: 7 October 1966
Association president since: 2019
General secretary
David Rodrigo Lo
Nationality: Andorran
Date of birth: 8 May 1968
General Secretary since: 2020