Midfield teen star of the WPWL Lucy Powell, now in her second season at Briton Ferry Llansawel Ladies talks to Y Clwb Pel Droed’s Gwynfor Edwards for the second of this season’s WPWL Focus.
The standard of play has gone up a level this season, why do you think that is?
I think the standard of women’s football has improved so much this season because there is a greater interest in the female game and there are far more people getting involved with coaching and an emphasis on getting their coaching badges and coaching a greater standard from within. I also think that the standard has raised so much especially in our area because Swansea City are backing the female game even more than before by getting more coaches out in the community making more younger girls aware of football and also by introducing female football academies for the first time with age groups starting from u10’s all the way through to an u21’s team which are complementing the FAW performance centres already in existence.
What are your goals for the season?
As an individual I want to continue to learn and compete in this much more physical league as well as fight for my place at my club. As a club our aim is to stay in the league as it is our first season in the Welsh Premier League. Though we are a very young side we have shown so far that we can compete but we need to continue to work hard in every game, learn the mistakes and continue to grow together and who knows what the future will bring.
Toughest players to play against?
We haven’t played many teams yet as it’s still early in the season but our toughest game so far has been Swansea City Ladies and a stand out player for me was definitely Emma Beynon, she is a top player, works hard and a great desire to win.
What could be done to increase attendances?
I think a really important factor in increasing attendances is teams and individuals promoting games on social Media to get word out into the public domain, because many people are not aware that there are games being played in their local area. We’re very lucky as a women’s team to have such strong support from the club its self and also from our men’s team who often attend home games to support.
Your career highlight to date?
For me, my best highlight was receiving my Wales u16 cap at the age of 13 and my Wales u17 cap at the age of 14. Also getting into the Welsh Premier League with Britton Ferry has been a huge thing for me as a player and hopefully we can achieve even greater things as a team.
Briton Ferry Llansawel Ladies were on the wrong side of a 7-1 last weekend against high flyers Abergavenny.
For more fixture information look up http://www.welshpremierwomensleague.co.uk/
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