Deputy Presiding Officer, the Welsh league pyramid is a great way of engaging people in the Welsh game, and both our women's and men's leagues are improving dramatically; I've seen it myself as an ambassador and as a fan. And the clubs engage continuously with young people, and there are countless numbers of young people right across our country who they engage with. And I think if we want this journey to continue, the games have to be accessible, and that means being televised or live on our radios. And I shared my own ambition in the Siambr in this respect: for the women's and men's leagues to be broadcast live, with more games, more frequently, free to view, free to listen in both of our national languages. And this is essential, and it's essential if we are going to build on the increasing popularity of the women's game and the women's and men's leagues. And if we are to really and truly inspire the next generation of world-class players, this must happen.

But we know football is not just about the participants; the fans are also key. Cymru's famous red wall. And if I turn away from football a second, many of you in this Chamber now will know that I'm a particular keen campaigner on mental health issues and support, and in particular how we can reach people who don't come forward for that support. And I think football plays a particular role in this. It can help us reach people. Before the coronavirus pandemic, I worked with Wales's big five professional clubs—Cardiff City, Swansea City, Newport County, Wrexham and, of course, Connah's Quay Nomads—and we used the power of football to highlight that 84 men die a week from suicide and the support that can be offered through our football family. And I should say I pay particular tribute—and I can see Jayne Bryant on the screen there—I do want to pay particular tribute here for the ongoing support of Newport County, who support fans on a daily basis who are struggling.

Deputy Presiding Officer, football exists in Wales because of the work of an army of fans, an army of grass-roots volunteers. We should all be incredibly grateful to those who give up their free time to support the game we all love and our country, our nation, loves. Now, I'm sure, as Members of the Senedd and football fans in general, you will all agree with me that there has been a real positive change in leadership, attitude and direction in the FAW, and tribute must be paid because this has been driven by the new chief executive, Noel Mooney. But if we are to progress this even further and take a world lead in football governance, steps now need to be taken to encourage diversity within the leadership structure here in Wales and within the game here in Wales. What does this mean? Well, it means more women and more people from minority backgrounds in strategic positions at the highest level of the FAW. This can't be a token effort, friends. We need real empowerment of people from a wide range of backgrounds with a shared love and knowledge of the beautiful game. They need to be involved at the highest level. They need to have their voices heard.

Deputy Presiding Officer, as Noel Mooney said to the men's national team following their world cup qualification, 'We are all in this together.' So, we should note our thanks to every individual who makes football happen across Wales—those who play it, those who watch it, those who support it, those who facilitate it. Because it's true, isn't it, that when we are together we are stronger. And if it is going to take all of us—all of us in this Chamber, all of our football society, our society across Wales in general—it's going to take us all to come together, to be stronger together and to make a lasting legacy for Cymru and truly make Wales, truly make Cymru, a leading football nation across the globe. Diolch yn fawr.