Porthmadog manager Osian Roberts has been named as the Football Association of Wales' new technical director. Roberts, the Welsh Premier league's best-qualified coach, has beaten former Wales international stars Ian Rush and Barry Horne to the job.
"My brief is to look after the game and increase participation from the grass roots to the elite, and ultimately the international stage," said Roberts.
"Football has to be more accessible to everybody in Wales."
Roberts took over as manager of Porthmadog in March 2007 after several years working with Viv Williams.
 | We need more players, better players, more coaches and better coaches |
He has been Anglesey's Football Development Officer for a number of years and led the squad in the 2005 Island Games.
The former Bangor City player holds the Uefa Pro licence, Europe's highest coaching qualification.
He teaches other managers from the English Premiership downwards, and has coached Wales Under-17 and Under-19.
"It's a great challenge but one that I am looking forward to," Roberts told BBC Sport Wales.
"We will work with our key partners to achieve realistic dreams, we are doing things the right way.
"We need more players, better players, more coaches and better coaches."
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