Wales hits 20,000-strong milestone in women's football

Published: 04 December 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

More than 20,000 girls and women are now registered to play football in Wales, marking a major milestone for the Football Association of Wales (FAW). Over the past three years, female participation has grown by 58%, with a particularly strong increase among players aged 14 to 17. The record, initially targeted for 2026, comes after an exciting year for the women’s national team, which reached its first major finals at Euro 2025.

Bethan Woolley, FAW strategic lead for women and girls’ football, said the achievement reflects years of planning and investment. “When we launched the strategy back in 2021, we had fewer than 10,000 players. We really had to look strategically at how we wanted to achieve this, what was such an ambitious target at the time, and focus on what resources our clubs and leagues needed,” she told BBC Radio Wales. Woolley emphasized the importance of creating national programmes to inspire girls and women of all ages and backgrounds to take up football.

A key part of the strategy has been ensuring facilities meet the needs of female players. “We’ve invested in facilities to make sure they’re appropriate, first and foremost, for women and girls,” Woolley explained. “We’ve also looked at prioritisation within clubs, ensuring that there’s a voice on club committees that comes from a female perspective, understanding the needs and desires of women and girls within those environments.”

FAW chief executive Noel Mooney described the milestone as “a hugely proud moment for Welsh football.” He credited the achievement to the combined efforts of clubs, volunteers, investment in grassroots facilities, and the inspiration provided by the national teams.

The milestone also strengthens Wales’ ambitions to host the 2035 Women’s World Cup. Mooney stated that the FAW is determined to build on this momentum to make football the most inclusive and accessible sport for women and girls across the country. “Our ambition is clear: to ensure that the pathway from grassroots to the international stage has never been stronger,” he said.

The growth in female participation reflects wider trends in women’s football globally, with more resources, visibility, and structured development pathways driving increased engagement. For Wales, the milestone represents not only a record number of registered players but also the potential to sustain long-term growth, improve competitive standards, and inspire the next generation of female footballers.

The FAW’s strategy highlights the importance of aligning club resources, community programmes, and national initiatives to create a supportive ecosystem for women and girls in football. With continued investment and a focus on accessibility, Wales aims to maintain this upward trajectory and position itself as a leader in women’s football within the UK and Europe.

The success story also underscores the cultural impact of the national team’s achievements, showing how international performance can inspire grassroots engagement. By combining strategic planning, improved facilities, and targeted participation programmes, Wales has created an environment where female players can thrive from entry-level football through to elite competition.

As the FAW looks toward the 2035 Women’s World Cup bid and future international tournaments, the record of over 20,000 female players stands as both a celebration and a foundation for further growth in Welsh football.