Nicola Anderson appointed WU19 head coach ahead of August training camp

The FAW have announced that current Female Coach Education Lead at the FAW Trust Nicola Anderson has been appointed as the new WU19 head coach.

Anderson, who currently studying for her UEFA pro license, has plenty of experience at the highest level in women’s football.

She previously spent three years with Everton before most recently being a part of Man City’s U23s development squad.

The FAW said on their website: “Anderson’s wider role with the FAW Trust will enable greater alignment of the coach education national syllabus and future coach development opportunities.”

The North-Wales native told the FAW’s website about her new role: “I’m incredibly excited about the WU19s role and hugely thankful to the FAW for the faith they have put in me.

“It’s such an exciting time to be involved with Welsh Women’s Football and I’m really looking forward to working with the players and getting back on the pitch.

“It’s important that we continue to build on the progress that is already evident at a senior level and a key part of this role is to continue to develop and support players for competing on the international stage.”

Anderson’s first task will be leading the side in a training camp at Colliers Park between 16-20 August.

She has experience of working with the WU19 squad having assisted Loren Dykes during the May training camp.

Next month, Wales will host Northern Ireland for two friendlies at Colliers park on Wednesday 15 and Saturday 18 September.

The games will help Anderson prepare the U19’s for their first competitive action in close to two years in the UEFA WU19 EURO Qualifying Round.

Wales will travel to Andorra for the tournament between 19-25 October where they will face Andorra, Albania and Moldova.

The 24-player squad for August’s training camp features four Welsh Premier Women’s League players.

Port Talbot’s Jessie Taylor joins Cardiff City’s Pheobie Poole, Seren Watkins and Ameila Forkings to create a strong contingent of WPWL players in the squad.

The side also features Manchester City’s Maria Francis-Jones who has been capped by the senior side and Arsenal’s Beth McGowan who also has experienced a senior camp.

Nicola Anderson’s first Wales WU19 training camp squad

Safia MIDDLETON-PATEL (Manchester United), Lucy FARRELL-SHROUDER (Burnley), Amelia FORKINGS (Cardiff City FC Women), Anna BEBB (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Maria FRANCIS-JONES (Manchester City), Bethan MCGOWAN (Arsenal), Amy MEADOWS (Manchester City), Rosa TIMS (Crystal Palace), Ella HUMPHREY (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ella HILLIARD (Bristol City), Phoebie POOLE (Cardiff City FC Women), Hollie SMITH (Cardiff City Ladies), Taylor REYNOLDS (Birmingham City), Zoe SMITH (Cardiff City Ladies), Mary MCATEER (Aston Villa), Isabella REIDFORD (Manchester United), Jessie TAYLOR (Port Talbot Town), Sophie PHILLIPS (Birmingham City), Scarlett WILLIAMS (Tottenham Hotspur), Emily FLETCHER (Aston Villa), Megan CURRAN (Brighton & Hove Albion), Lauren PURCHASE (Aston Villa), Seren WATKINS (Cardiff City FC Women), Megan LEWIS (Cardiff City Ladies).

[Featured Image: Mike James]