Welsh domestic league players go for the triple as FAW introduces bonus point for a hat-trick

The decision will see Wales become the first country in the world to introduce a bonus point for a hat-trick in its JD Cymru Leagues and Genero Adran Leagues, irrespective of the final score.

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) has announced that from the start of the 2023/24 season, a bonus point will be automatically awarded for every hat-trick scored during any JD Cymru Leagues and Genero Adran Leagues match in a bid to make every moment count.

The FAW currently awards three points for a win and one for a draw, and this additional scoring ruling will add another dimension to dynamic league games.

A hat-trick is universally considered as one of the greatest accolades for a player and fans have already seen a total of 58 hat-tricks across the JD Cymru Leagues and Genero Adran Leagues this season.

The origin of the hat-trick is still disputed – one theory suggests the concept was originally from the cricket world, introduced in the 16^th century for a bowler who knocks out three batsmen, one after the other with the same ball – receiving a new hat as his reward.

Oli Farslop, Chairman of the National Leagues Board, said: “A hat-trick really adds excitement to any match and a bonus point will ensure every moment counts. We know fans want to see goals and we’re confident the additional point will help increase the number of goals scored per game.

“Bonus points have already been successfully introduced elsewhere, including rugby and Formula One. Making changes to the leagues like this shows the FAW’s commitment to innovation and providing a product to make Wales proud.

The change has already received support from Community Partners, the Welsh Blood Service. Commenting on this announcement Welsh Blood Service Director, Alan Prosser, said: “We’re fully behind the Football Association of Wales as this will make for an even more exciting game for spectators and fans, who have also got behind our campaign.

“We are hoping this change will continue to shine the light on what we do with the FAW and we are very grateful to the players and fans across the leagues who continue to support us alongside their clubs. Our Blood, Sweat and Cheers national campaign continues to be a huge success and has potentially saved the lives of over 2,500 patients in need across Wales. The partnership demonstrates the hugely positive impact football can have on the wider community.”

Clubs across Wales have been encouraging fans to support the campaign both on and off the pitch to highlight the importance of donating blood, platelets and bone marrow. These lifesaving products can only come from volunteer donors and are required daily to help patients including those involved in accidents, organ transplants, pregnancy and certain types of cancer such as leukaemia.

Every single day the Welsh Blood Service needs to collect 350 blood donations a day to supply 20 hospitals with enough blood for patients, to support lifesaving procedures. With approximately 100,000 blood donations each year from 70,000 volunteer donors, the organisation hopes its partnership with the FAW will support its goal of signing 11,000 new blood donors in 2023.

April Fools!

There are no bonus points for a hat-trick but you can score a hat-trick of your own by giving blood & saving up to 3 lives.

That’s why we partnered with the Football Association of Wales, JD Cymru and Genero Adran Leagues to encourage clubs and fans to make a lifesaving donation.