Legacy of the U19s Euros in Wales
The Uefa U19s Euros tournament held in Wales over the past fortnight has left a lasting impact on the country, with the hope that some of the talented young players will join the senior national side in the coming years.
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The Spanish under-19 team were the standout team in the tournament, scoring 19 goals and winning their 10th title at this age grade with a 2-0 win over Germany in the final.
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According to Noel Mooney, the chief executive of the Football Association of Wales (FAW), the legacy of the tournament is ‘massive’. ‘We had a vision for this tournament that we would leave a legacy of great facilities and something that would last for many, many years,’ he said.
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Mooney added that Uefa have been ‘absolutely delighted’ with how the tournament has been managed and the delivery of the event. The tournament was held across the north of Wales, with fixtures taking place at Central Park in Denbigh, Bangor City Stadium, The Oval in Caernarfon, and Wrexham’s Racecourse.
‘We’ve had a load of volunteers and FAW staff working and, of course, the four clubs involved have been outstanding,’ Mooney said. ‘This year is the Under-19 Championship, in 2028 we’ve got the senior Euros – one of the biggest events in the world – coming to Cardiff. Then we’re in for the 2029 Women’s Champions League final in Cardiff as well and we’re down for the Women’s World Cup in 2035.’
Investment in Facilities
The tournament has provided a boost for the region’s economy during the past month, with businesses benefiting directly. The investment in facilities has also benefited clubs lower down the Welsh football pyramid, including Denbigh Town and Ruthin Town.
Denbigh’s Central Park hosted three games in Group A as well as a semi-final, and the club has seen a significant improvement in their facilities. ‘This is something we thought would never happen,’ said Denbigh official Ollie Beech. ‘We have a new gantry, new dugouts, new stand and a clubhouse which is like the crown jewel of Denbigh.’
Long-term Legacy
The long-term legacy of the tournament will continue to benefit Wales, with Gunter believing that the facilities and experience gained by the players will have a lasting impact. ‘For the players, in the longer piece, it’ll be a really good thing because of the experiences that they’ve had,’ he said.
Gunter added that the tournament has been ‘amazing’ and that the legacy will ‘live on in terms of the facilities around this area and the grounds that are being played at and hosting some of these top players.’
Future Investment
Mooney hopes to see further investment to ensure more facilities are improved and that Wales can attract future high-profile events. ‘We’ve got a clear plan, once we stick to that plan we’ve got a lot of resources to deliver,’ he said. ‘But we do need more support from Welsh Government and we do need more support and partnerships with the 22 local authorities.’
Mooney added that the investment in facilities has been ‘incredible’ and that the tournament has provided a ‘massive’ boost for the region’s economy.
The legacy of the U19s Euros in Wales will continue to benefit the country for years to come, with the hope that some of the talented young players will join the senior national side in the coming years.
