The FA of Wales has announced the launch of the PAWB Fund for its second year, supporting young people and families to access football opportunities and equipment.
The PAWB Fund aligns to the FAW’s Our Wales|Ein Cymru 2026 Strategy key objective; to provide a flexible and inclusive playing offer and make football accessible and affordable for people from different socioeconomic backgrounds.
The application is open to 5–18-year-olds living in Wales and can be applied for by or on behalf of any young player, to support and assist them with accessing football opportunities and/or equipment.
FAW Senior Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Integrity Manager, Jason Webber said: “The PAWB Fund is an initiative to support families in particular that may find that cost is a barrier to participating within the game.
“By providing the opportunity of a fund where people can apply for items such as boots, shinpads, sporting hijabs, among other items, hopefully young people can then access football within their community and can continue to enjoy and participate within the game.”
Commenting on the Club’s use of the PAWB Fund, RTB Ebbw Vale Coach, Kyle Higgins said: “RTB Ebbw Vale are located in Blaenau Gwent, which is one of the poorest areas in the country and without this funding a lot of parents here would simply be cut off from football.
“I grew up in poverty myself and had to stop playing football at the age of 10 simply because my parents couldn’t afford to take me to football games or afford the equipment needed So it’s so important we have something like this that parents can fall back on.”
RTB Ebbw Vale Chairman, Karl Moorecroft added: “We have used the PAWB Fund to help the continuity of football within the community. It allows us to grow the club and help the boys and girls to continue playing football, even with the hard times at the moment.
“We don’t want to discourage anyone from playing and the fund has allowed us to buy kit, support with joining fees or monthly subscriptions to the club. At RTB Ebbw Vale the PAWB Fund has enabled boys and girls to play football day in, day out with us.”
The following items are eligible for support through the fund:
- Grassroots Club Membership Fees
- Playing/Club Kit
- Football Boots
- Shin Pads
- Goalkeeper Gloves
- Sport Hijab
- Impairment Specific Equipment e.g. Sports Goggles
- Travel Costs e.g. Train, Bus or Taxi Costs to Training and Match Venues
The funding available will be decided by a national panel that will use the application information to assess each case. The PAWB Fund can be applied for on an annual basis to ensure support is available for young people to access regular football opportunities.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Clubs, schools, social services and other community organisations can apply for the fund on behalf of recipients. The first application window for 2023 will be until 31 March. Access the PAWB Fund application form HERE.
