Mini-pitch to help Welsh wonders

Opening ceremony
The official opening of the pitch at Canal Park in Bute Town, Cardiff, was performed by UEFA vice-president Geoffrey Thompson, the Lord Mayor of Cardiff, councillor Jacqui Gasson, and the FAW president Tegwyn Evans. FAW general secretary David Collins also joined members of the FAW management council and local authority representatives for the ceremony.

Popular practice
"It is the objective of the UEFA Golden Jubilee project to support UEFA member associations and the football family in their efforts to develop and promote the practice of grassroots football by funding free-access playing facilities," said Mr Collins. "This is also an opportunity for UEFA, in the year of its 50th anniversary, to mark its attachment to various foundations of football.

Mini-pitch programme
"The FAW and UEFA, in partnership with the local authorities in Wales are hoping to install a further 44 mini-pitches throughout Wales during the coming year," he added.

Generous gift
"This is a very generous gift by UEFA to local communities not only in Wales but the rest of Europe," said Mr Evans. "The hope is that this will help the continued develop of the game at the grassroots level. It is a very exciting project which we envisage helping the football family throughout Wales."

Prototype mini-pitch
UEFA's HatTrick Board, which is responsible for UEFA’s HatTrick assistance programme, has decided to offer a prototype mini-pitch to each UEFA member association to commemorate its Golden Jubilee. The mini-pitch in question should be installed near to the association's headquarters and possibly close to, or on the premises of, a school.