Development of Local Authority Football Facility Plans in Wales

Introduction

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) and Cymru Football Foundation (CFF) is inviting tenders from suitably qualified organisations or individuals to develop 22 Local Authority Football Facility Plans across Wales. These plans will provide a comprehensive understanding of the current and future football facility needs within each Local Authority area and align with national and local strategic priorities.

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) is a non-charitable organisation responsible for governing football in Wales, including international, professional and grassroots football.

The Cymru Football Foundation supports the development of football facilities through investment, assistance and guidance. Established in 2022, the charity delivers the Football Association of Wales’ (FAW) commitment to develop inspirational fit-for-future football facilities that will improve and grow Welsh football on and off the pitch.

The standard of football facilities across Wales, particularly at grassroots level, requires coordinated and long-term investment to deliver the most accessible and appropriate environments for current and future members of the Welsh football family.

The Cymru Football Foundation plays a leading role in addressing this challenge by delivering a series of grant programmes that will develop outstanding football facilities and help to deliver: 

• improved experiences and environments enabling participation growth and retention; 
• quality facilities meeting wider community needs and tackling inequalities;
• stronger and sustainable community focussed clubs;
• more women and girls playing football;

Scope of requirements

The following sets out the scope of requirements as the FAW and CFF currently sees them. We do, however, welcome new suggestions and alternative ways of fulfilling the objectives. We therefore encourage all bidders to bring ideas forward.

The FAW and CFF is inviting a single provider to create 22 Local Authority Football Facility Plans. Each plan should consist of the following content and all bidders should indicate the methodology they suggest in order to complete each section. 

Scope of Work

Each Local Authority Football Plan will contain a clear assessment of facility needs based on strategic documents, national and local insight, and high-level consultation with key stakeholders. The core outcome of each plan is to deliver a list of high-level priorities and projects focused on:

• 3G Football Turf Pitches (FTPs) and changing facility projects
• Priority multi-grass pitch sites 
• Single site small-sided community and recreational football facilities 
• Multisport opportunities where appropriate

Plan Structure

Each Local Authority Football Plan must include the following sections:

1. Introduction

• Executive summary
• How to use this plan (prepopulated by Football Association of Wales and Cymru Football Foundation)

2. National Context

• Overview of the National Facilities Vision and Investment Strategy (prepopulated by Football Association of Wales and Cymru Football Foundation)

3. Local Context

• Overview of the Local Authority and its current position, including:
  • Population
  • Demographics
  • Density
  • Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD)
  • Flood Risk & Coastal Erosion Risk Analysis
• Summary of wider local strategic context impacting football
• Analysis of local football participation using FAW and Area Association data
• Overview of facilities investment to date (prepopulated by CFF)

4. Local Assets and Opportunities

A detailed assessment of current football assets and opportunities to align with investment priorities. The minimum expectations for each investment priority include:

3G Artificial Grass Pitches (AGPs)

• Current assets: Mapping of existing 3G AGPs
• Opportunities: Analysis of over/under-supply based on the Facility Vision and pre-agreed benchmark pitch-to-team/player ratio
• Priority project list for potential investment, highlighting multisport opportunities where applicable

Grass Pitches

• Current assets: Mapping of existing sites used for affiliated football

Changing Pavilions

• Current assets: Mapping of sites with no or inadequate changing facilities
• Opportunities: Identification of multi-pitch or strategic sites requiring investment, based on data and stakeholder input

Small-Sided Community Courts or Artificial Pitches

• Current assets: Mapping of existing facilities
• Opportunities: Identification of sites suitable for refurbishment or community ownership

Steering Groups & Consultation

To ensure accuracy and stakeholder engagement, each plan must include:

1. Steering Group Meetings

• A minimum of two online steering group meetings per Local Authority plan
• Purpose: To review project lists, update facility developments, and agree on future priorities
• Representation should include:
  • Local Authority representatives
  • FAW Club Developer & Participation Officer
  • Area Association and league representatives 
  • Professional football club community foundation (where applicable)
  • Cymru Football Foundation Facility Investment Manager
  • Other NGB representatives (where relevant)

2. Consultation

• Online survey to existing FS artificial pitches to understand capacity and demand (if required)

Tender Requirements

Tender submissions should include:

1. Organisation/Individual Profile – Experience in facility planning, football development, and stakeholder consultation
2. Approach & Methodology – Proposed approach to data collection, consultation, and report development
3. Project Timeline – Estimated timeframe for completion of all 22 plans
4. Budget Proposal – Cost breakdown including fees and any additional expenses
5. Previous Work Examples – Evidence of relevant projects