THE Football Association of Wales will be resuming their return to football initiative after the Welsh Government’s ‘fire-break’ lockdown coms to an end.

With the two-week restrictions ending on Monday, November 9, the governing body announced that Phase 3 of the scheme will be reinstated after the FAW opted to halt progress to get football back underway for anything below the JD Cymru Premier over the last fortnight.

This will result in the resumption of inter-club friendly matches for senior, youth, junior and small-sided football, in addition to other formats also starting once again.

The protocol remains subject to the latest Public Health Wales and Welsh Government policy and guidelines related to COVID-19, which has resulted in no competitive football outside of the top-flight taking place since March.

FAW officials are also in the process of applying to Sport Wales for ‘elite athlete’ status to be granted for JD Cymru North and South clubs, which would be another big step in the right direction.

There are no such plans in place for Tier 3 and below, with the Ardal Northern League and North Wales Coast FA recently announcing plans for a shortened season and the possible cancellation of cup competitions.

This is an ever-changing situation due to a surge in recent coronavirus cases across the country, with the FAW urging clubs to keep following the COVID-19 updates issued by the Welsh Government.