We will move on now to an important short debate on football.

I'll call the Member to introduce his debate now, once some Members have left quietly.

Okay, the short debate, therefore, and I call on Jack Sargeant to move the motion. Jack Sargeant.

Diolch yn fawr, Llywydd. I'm pleased to be able to debate the matter this afternoon—our Cymru: creating a leading football nation. And if I may, Llywydd, give a minute of my own time to Samuel Kurtz, Mike Hedges, Llyr Gruffydd and Tom Giffard.

I'm sure you will agree with me, Llywydd, that I can't remember a more exciting time for Welsh football. The men's national team have played twice in consecutive European championships and have qualified for the world cup for the first time since 1958, and, of course, we all here in this Senedd wish them every success in the future competition. But it's not just the men's team who've had success; the women's national team is creating a real buzz with record attendances and striking on-field performances. Legends of the Welsh game, like Gareth Bale and Jess Fishlock, are inspiring the next generation of players.

The Deputy Presiding Officer (David Rees) took the Chair.

The Football Association of Wales have an ambitious plan, an ambitious vision for Cymru to become a leading football nation at a local, a national and an international level. Now, for someone who is really passionate about football and the benefits it can bring to all those involved, this is a pretty exciting ambition. It recognises that Welsh football is far more than just the national teams. I say that, Deputy Presiding Officer, as a proud club ambassador, for the record, of the Welsh league's finest team, Connah's Quay Nomads Football Club. Now, like many of you, you will be familiar, I'm sure, with the grass-roots game in Wales, and young people, our future generations, our future footballers play football in Wales every single weekend, throughout the year, in huge numbers. I have fond memories myself of growing up playing for Connah's Quay Tigers; I also have some unfond memories of my best friend missing penalties in Welsh cup finals for Connah's Quay Tigers. But back then, facilities weren't great, and it's important to recognise that facilities are improving, but this journey does need to continue if the FAW, and if all of us as football fans, are to meet their ambition.

Significant investment in facilities has come from the Welsh Government and the Welsh Government's twenty-first century schools programme, and through the FAW and through Sport Wales. However, we must do more to support our clubs to improve their facilities directly. And an example of this is in my own constituency—Buckley Town Football Club. Now, that's a club that struggles with drainage, and we do need an all-weather pitch. There has to be some direct support to clubs to achieve their ambitions themselves, not just support to schools and investment into schools. Now, as I said, each week in Wales, thousands of young people miss out on games, and they miss out on games because the pitch is called off, the game is called off—the pitch is off because of the weather. It's often waterlogged. It rains a lot in Wales—we know that, don't we? And I would like from the Minister, in her response today, a commitment and a comment about how we can achieve this direct support for clubs.

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. 

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. 

Can I thank Jack Sargeant for giving me a minute in this debate? I'm very pleased to see Wales qualify for the world cup finals, but footballers start playing when they're in primary school, usually in their school and the local club. Without those teachers who freely give their time and those who coach and run junior football teams, there would not be a successful national side. Every weekend throughout Wales, there are junior football matches being played. Players have to be taken to fixtures, someone has to referee these fixtures, and someone has to act as trainer in case of injury. Many will stop playing when they reach 16 or 18, some will progress to the local leagues, and very few to professional clubs and even fewer to playing for Wales. All the players start this journey in the same place. I have previously asked for more 3G and 4G pitches to make playing football in wet weather possible. Too often, during winter, several weeks of football is lost due to pitches being unplayable. I end with a big 'thank you' to those who make junior football happen, so that the next Gareth Bale and Joe Rodon get the chance to start their journey to become international footballers. 

Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to this debate. I just wanted to reflect a little on what Welsh football and Welsh football teams—not just a team, but teams—represent, and what the red wall has embraced. It is more than just football. This phenomenon is a symbol of contemporary Wales, a confident Wales, a successful Wales, and of an inclusive Wales, too, in all its diversity. Gareth Bale said, 'All I need is the dragon on my chest', and what does that dragon in the football context now represent? Well, it represents Wales in all of its diversity—whatever language you speak, whatever the colour of your skin, whatever you feel you are. And not only do we celebrate that the Wales football team has qualified for Qatar, but what the football team and football in Wales more generally represent are going to Qatar, and that is an important message and a message I hope that the whole world will hear when the time comes for us to go to Qatar in November. 

Thank you, Jack Sargeant, for tabling this debate today. When I saw the name of the debate, 'creating a leading football nation', I knew I wanted to speak on it because it made me think, 'Well, what does make up a nation?' And Wales, I think, is a nation of communities and, in my opinion, nothing binds a community together quite like a local football club. As I'm sure Mike Hedges will attest, nothing binds the city of Swansea together quite like the support for the Swans—

The super Swans. [Laughter.]

But, also, it teaches us important lessons and qualities for our lives, both for young people and for us older ones who perhaps need to be reminded sometimes—lessons like a team ethic, one for all, the team over individuals, and patience, sticking with the team through thick and thin, respect for the rules, discipline, and acceptance as well. And Altaf Hussain was just telling me about his seven-year-old granddaughter who is a keen footballer as well, which is fantastic to hear. 

So, I hope, when we look at Qatar and the 11 that take to the pitch when the world cup begins, that it is a reflection not just on the 11 who qualified and the 11 who took us there, but the whole network, the whole football support network that has got us there in the first place—those coaches, those volunteers, those referees have all played their part just as much as the 11 on that pitch, and I hope that that is reflected. Thank you. 

I call on the Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport to reply to the debate—Dawn Bowden.

Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Can I thank Jack Sargeant for introducing this afternoon's short debate on a topic that I know Jack and many others know is very close to my heart too? Although it's been a few weeks since the world cup play-off final against Ukraine, it still doesn't feel quite real, does it? The euphoria around that is still with us, but the achievement of the Cymru men's senior team in reaching the finals of a FIFA World Cup for the first time in 64 years is just simply awesome, an accomplishment that has been considered an impossible dream for so long. And there have been so many near misses along the way of that painful journey since 1958, but, finally, we can put that particular heartache to rest. It's a fitting testament to the determination, the perseverance and the belief of Rob Page's players and staff. The passion, the commitment, the sportsmanship shown by the team both on and, equally important, as Llyr Gruffydd said, off the pitch has rightly been praised across the sporting world and inspired the nation. When, as a small nation, Wales does well on the sporting stage, the whole nation glows, and we can certainly feel the positive energy building from this exciting opportunity that lies ahead.

Wales reaching the world cup finals has already given a boost to the whole country, and I'm sure it will open the door for many opportunities. And to that end, we are working with the FAW and other stakeholders to consider how to maximise the opportunities that will come to Wales with participation on this international stage. Football, especially a prestigious global tournament such as the world cup, is an opportunity to reach a global audience and to tell the world about Wales, who we are and what we do. I'm certain that this success will inspire many people, boys and girls, young and old, to participate in a sport and will undoubtedly leave a very strong and positive legacy.

We should also remember, as Jack Sargeant pointed out, that the Cymru women's senior team is still well placed to qualify for the women's world cup next year as well, a reflection of how much positive progress has been made in recent years in the women's game. Like many of us, I'm looking forward to the remaining matches in their qualifying campaign in September and would like to take this opportunity to wish them all the very best too.

Now, these successes don't happen overnight, of course, and it starts by getting it right at grass roots and making sure that our young athletes have the opportunity to develop their skills and have the facilities to play. Our programme for government recognises that sport is of vital importance to both the Welsh economy and to national life. It commits the Welsh Government to harness the creativity and sporting ability of the people in Wales and ensure that the industry has the support it needs to maintain its proper place on the world stage. And that is why the Welsh Government is investing £24 million over the next three years in sporting facilities, so that sportspeople of all ages and abilities can enjoy their chosen sport and learn new skills. I'm particularly pleased that the FAW has also committed to using its world cup qualification dividend to support and develop grass-roots facilities, and I would certainly encourage Buckley Town and any club wanting to improve their facilities to get in touch with the FAW and Sport Wales to discuss the options open to them.

I also agree with Jack's point that there's more room for football clubs to play a role as centres for the community and to encourage and inspire people to focus on their health and well-being, and I applaud the work that Jack has done in this area. I'm also pleased that the FAW is already thinking along these lines too. Of course, I have to mention my own team, Merthyr Town, in this context, and the club is very much community orientated and fan owned and has a track record of raising and supporting issues around mental health, from the We Wear The Same Shirt campaign with Time to Change and the FAW back in 2015 to the most recent Mind Cymru's Terrace Talk campaign. I was also pleased to learn that Trefelin Boys and Girls Club in Cymru south league appointed a dedicated mental health officer earlier this year, working alongside a local charity to support their players and staff whenever needed.

Turning now to broadcasting of matches, as you know, this isn't a devolved area, so there is a limit to what the Welsh Government can do here. So, although there is good news in the short term, and partnership work with S4C has been very positive, the UK Government needs to be doing much more to make sure that the 'crown jewels' sporting list is still relevant to all countries in the UK.

Dirprwy Lywydd, it's not just about matters on the pitch that we can demonstrate our strength as a nation. We can also show leadership, and it is absolutely right that this includes diversity at all levels of the game. That leadership, soft power or public diplomacy, is also a lever for international engagement; it raises Wales's profile and enables us to tell our story on a world stage. This is particularly relevant in this world cup, as I know many Members and fans do have concerns about the host country, Qatar. As such, I believe we've got a moral responsibility to engage with countries that do not always share our values, whether that is on human rights, LGBTQ+ rights, workers' rights, or political and religious freedoms. Engaging with countries is an opportunity to develop a platform for further discussion, to raise awareness and to influence.

In conclusion, Dirprwy Lywydd, I'm grateful to Members for their contributions and the unity in this Senedd behind Cymru. It's wonderful to see us as a nation expand our reach on the world stage even further through the power of sport, and I can't wait for the world cup finals later this year. I'm sure all Members will join me in wishing the players, staff and the fans all the very, very best of luck in Qatar. 

Thank you, all. That brings today's proceedings to a close.

The meeting ended at 18:16.