FAW Needs to Lead Local Clubs - Burnham (Eleanor Burnham )

Cymraeg
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Eleanor Burnham <info@eburnham.org.uk>

FAW Needs to Lead Local Clubs - Burnham

October 11, 2006 5:00 PM

Eleanor Burnham AM today demanded greater leadership of local football clubs from the Football Association of Wales, the sport's national governing body.

Following her call for more communication between the FAW and transport operators last week, Ms Burnham, Welsh Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Sport, lamented that severe lack of nationwide co-ordination within local football clubs across Wales.

During Culture committee Ms Burnham said: "As the governing body of football within Wales, the FAW should be leading the way forward for our regional teams.

"Football in Wales suffers from poor governance. There are over 30 separate bodies all trying to function without any co-ordination. All I can say ask is why this is continuing to be the case?

"The FAW is a powerful body of considerable size and with a significant turnover and yet it seems the most reluctant to reform itself and become the unifying power it should be for Wales.

"Local clubs find it increasingly difficult to find funds for investment in their facilities, operating as they do largely without the guidance of any one sports body. When small clubs do get outside help, for example from the Sports Council for Wales, it's largely at their own instigation. They have no direct help or advice from any one organisation.

"Improvements in facilities, the encouragement of good practice and the support for Welsh talent needs to start at the top. This should mean the FAW, though right now they don't appear to be doing much to merit that position."

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