11. Short Debate: Our Cymru: Creating a leading football nation

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:05 pm on 29 June 2022.

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Photo of Samuel Kurtz Samuel Kurtz Conservative 6:05, 29 June 2022

I'm grateful to the Member for Alyn and Deeside for giving me a minute of his time. In making Wales a leading footballing nation, I'd like to pay tribute to the coaches, who often give up their time free of charge. And one of those coaches who got me involved with football back in the day, when I was a youngster, was Matthew 'Minty' Lamb, a former FAW community coach of the year. I was grateful to him for inviting me along to his prize-giving evening, because he has now, for the last 10 years, led Fishguard ladies, from junior girls all the way through to the senior ladies' team, giving his time, bringing in the community to support ladies' football in a part of the world that didn't traditionally have it. And I think people like Matthew Lamb, who give up their time freely to support a cause that they so very much believe in, are absolutely critical to making Wales a leading footballing nation. And I'd like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the Matthew Lambs that are there in every club across Wales, in every corner, making sure that the people of Wales are playing football, getting active, and making sure that there are the Gareth Bales and Fishlocks of the future. Diolch.