A £170,000 upgrade to the grounds at Berriew FC was officially opened, as the Cyrmu Football Foundation visited the new pitch.

Opened at the Haydn Williams Recreation Field Grounds, Cymru Football Foundation (CFF) unveiled the latest Fit-For-Future Facilities funded project at Berriew FC on Saturday, July 6.

Having been prone to wear and tear over the years, the small-sided community playing field had become unsafe and was deemed no longer fit for purpose, as well as a costly expenditure as club having to spend over £3,000 a year for their junior players to train on better grounds.

Now CFF, along with support from the UK Government, has provided a grant of just over £170,000 and coupled with club’s fundraising efforts, has installed an artificial grass surface on the pitch.

It's intended as a "multi-sport surface", meaning it can be used both for local football teams, and for other sports including tennis.

Speaking at the opening, Berriew FC chair David Jones said: “We’re thrilled to have such an amazing facility that benefits not only football and tennis but also the wider community.

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“The investment and work that has taken place have resulted in a fantastic multi-sport site, enabling year-round play and winter football training to resume.”

Now that the new pitch is up and running, it will provide Berriew FC’s 200 junior players with a space to train consistently, whatever the weather. They also hope that they will be able to re-invest the funds being spent on alternative locations to become a “stronger, more sustainable community-focused club”.

CFF provides investment and guidance for community football as part of the Football Association Wales’ aim to develop football facilities that will improve and grow Welsh football.

Since February 2022, the CFF has invested over £10 million into supporting fit-for-future facilities across the country.

Aled Lewis, head of operations at the Cymru Football Foundation said: “The Cymru Football Foundation is committed to investing in fit-for-future facilities across Wales and this investment at Berriew FC will attract more players and allow current players to have better experiences.

“A huge thank you to UK Government alongside out other partners and funders for their continued support. We’re taking strides in improving football in Wales on and off the pitch.”