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 and Genero Adran league match in a bid to make games more competitive.
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 during this year’s Cymru Premier, Adran Premier, Cymru North and South and Adran North and South league games this season a total of 53 hat tricks have been scored to date.
The origin of the hat trick is still disputed – some say it was born in the cricket world and was apparently introduced in the 16th century, for a bowler who knocks out three batsmen, one after the other with the same ball – a new hat was his reward.
Oli Farslop, Chairman of the National Leagues Board said: “The Welsh Blood Service has been working closely with the leagues since November 2020 to promote the importance of donating blood and blood products. Since then our players and fans have been generous with their time supporting our blood, sweat and cheers campaign. One donation can save up to three lives so we wanted to return the generosity by awarding a bonus point for a hat trick.
“A hat trick really adds excitement to any match and a bonus point will raise its accolade to even greater heights.”
Commenting on this announcement Director of the Welsh Blood Service, Alan Prosser said: “We are very grateful to the players and fans across both domestic leagues who have donated and continue to donate blood, platelets and bone marrow.
“The work already completed through the 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.
“We fully support the FAW’s gesture of giving star players an additional bonus point as this will make for an even more exciting game for spectators and fans, who have also got behind our campaign.”
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.
To learn more about Blood, Sweat and Cheers and donating, visit wbs.wales/football
