‘A few people have asked if I’d go anywhere else, and I wouldn’t’ – Lauren Harris

Lauren Harris has expressed her passion to inspire the next generation, as her and her Barry teammates prepare for the new Adran Premier season.

Last season was a rollercoaster ride for the Town, as they survived on the final day by beating Pontypridd.

Harris recalls what the feelings were on that day, and how they proved a point to their doubters.

‘It was a very tense day. We were really nervous going into that day and obviously we had played Pontypridd throughout the season’

‘We had some wins, they had some wins, there was a draw, so that game was really 50/50. We just had adrenaline, we worked really hard throughout the game, and we had a point to prove’

‘There was a lot of comments this time last year about us not deserving our place in the Adran Premier. I think we did prove that on the pitch, especially that last game’

‘We showed a lot of desire. Don’t get me wrong we don’t show it all the time, but when we do show it, it really pulled off that day. The girls were great, and we really enjoyed that win in the end’

Barry had one of the youngest teams in the Adran Prem last season. In the off-season, they’ve made signings, signings Harris hopes will provide some experience.

‘We’ve got a few good new signings. We’ve got a couple from Met, we’ve got a couple who have come from Cardiff Bluebells, but also, we look at the squad we had last season, and the average age of that squad was 18’

‘Looking at the squad now we’ve got a lot more experience, the players who have come in are older and have that experience’

‘On the field we’re much louder than we were communication wise, but also, it’s nice to see some new faces and strengthening in areas that we were lacked in confidence last season’

Barry have the largest female setup in Wales, and the club means everything to the town. Harris explained just how much the club means to her.

‘A few people have asked me if I’d go anywhere else and I wouldn’t’

‘Even if you look at the whole pathway right from the under 7s, where I’ve just started, and right through all the age groups to the first team, all the girls are supportive, the coaches of all the younger age groups, you’ve got to hand it to them they’ve been really good with us’

‘We had an away trip recently to Torquay and loads of them came up and supported us and it’s nice to see that we’re getting the recognition that the men’s team were having last season’

‘It’s nice to see around the club it’s not just pictures of all the men’s teams on the walls’

‘There’s pictures of us in the changing rooms and down the corridors, and it’s just nice to see. There’s just loads of togetherness around the entire club’

The female game is on top of an incredible rise. Since the success of the European Championships in June and the continued progression of the Welsh national team, the level of interest in the game is massive.

Harris, who helps coach the younger teams that Barry have, thinks things are only going to get bigger and better.

‘I saw that Wales have sold over 7000 tickets for the game against Slovenia already, and now they’ve opened up the Canton Stand in the Cardiff City Stadium’

‘Even for us now, we’re playing friendlies and we’ve got people travelling with us, we’ve got youngsters coming with us and they’re enjoying it. Just to see the support across the board for women’s football is great’

‘Even other teams have got their own fans, and you see the support they have. They’ve got their Huddle teams starting up and players are coming through there’

‘The youngest players we’ve got now are four in our Huddle setup, which is just brilliant to see’

‘I’ve constantly got parents on my case, asking when’s training, when can they join a team, and it’s great to see the interest there’

In terms of expectations for the upcoming season, Harris wants to continue her work off the pitch, while also being realistic about their expectations on the pitch.

‘As a team, we’re definitely looking to compete with everyone in the league, but particular compete well at the top of the bottom four in phase two’

‘Being realistic that’s where we would like to finish the season, especially based on last season, looking at what we’ve bought in and how we can hurt other teams’

‘For me, off the pitch, it’s important to keep inspiring that younger generation. To go to their training, encourage them’

‘We’re trying to emphasise season tickets for fans and trying to get more people on board and publicise the game a lot more’

Barry kick off their Adran Premier campaign away to TNS on Sunday September 4^th.