Football Association of Wales

The Football Association of Wales (Cymdeithas Bêl-droed Cymru) (FAW) is the governing body of association football in Wales. It is a member of FIFA, UEFA and the IFAB.

Established in 1876, it is the third-oldest national association in the world, and is one of the four associations (along with the (English) Football Association, the Scottish Football Association, the Irish Football Association and FIFA) that make up the International Football Association Board, responsible for the Laws of the Game. These four are also the constituent countries within the United Kingdom.

History
Provisionally known as the "Cambrian Football Association", the FAW was founded at a meeting held on 2 February 1876 at the Wynnstay Arms Hotel in Wrexham, initially to formalise the arrangements for the forthcoming match against Scotland.

In May 1876, a further meeting was called, this time in the ballroom of the identically named Wynnstay Arms Hotel in Ruabon where the name "Football Association of Wales" was agreed upon and the constitution was drawn up. The arguments and discussions continued so long that the local policeman came in to call time.

Fortunately, Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn was in attendance; as the local JP (and also the sitting Member of Parliament), he went next door, opened the court, extended the hotel's licensing hours and thus enabled the meeting to continue. The meeting ended with Llewelyn Kenrick appointed as the first chairman and honorary secretary with John Hawley Edwards as first treasurer.

Kenrick continued to serve the FAW until 1884, when he left, probably because of the trend towards professionalism. In 1897, when the FAW secretary was charged with fraud, Kenrick returned to guide the association through the crisis. He made the final break a few months later over the minor issue of the allocation of gate money to Welsh Cup semi-finalists and finalists.

Responsibilities
The FAW is responsible for the administration of football in Wales, running the six international teams - namely the "A", "Under 21", "Under 19", "Under 17", "Women's", "Women's Under 19", Women's Under 17 and Semi-Professional.

The FAW is also responsible for all disciplinary actions against players in teams associated with the FAW. This includes Welsh teams playing within the English football pyramid, superseding the English FA disciplinary system with the exception of Cardiff City and Swansea City A.F.C..

Structure
The FAW is based at Neptune Court, Vanguard Way, Cardiff.

It is governed by a council including nineteen councillors who are either elected, or appointed every three years.

In 2012 chief executive Jonathan Ford claimed the FAW had an income of £14 million, funded from FIFA, UEFA, grants, sponsorship and TV revenue. All finances were spent on the further development of the game.

In April 2013 Dragon Park, the Wales National Football Development Centre, was opened in Newport.