From Charlton to Cardiff via Barry: Mia Ross’ Wales journey

Wales midfielder Mia Ross is still on cloud nine having made her senior international debut last month against Poland.

The Charlton midfielder stepped out wearing the red of Wales for the first time in her career in the friendly against the Poles at Rodney Parade, a moment that has been in the pipeline for a while.

Ross revealed that she’s been in contact with Wales manager Rhian Wilkinson for a while but had to bide her time due to a serious injury.

“I’ve been in contact with Rhian for quite a long time. Unfortunately, while I was in contact with her, I suffered an ACL injury which wasn’t great timing at all.

“Throughout my time being out I was still talking to Rhian and as soon as I got back playing this preseason, I got the call-up.

“We were waiting for the right time, but for her to have that trust in me is something I’m very grateful for.”

Ross has taken a very well-trodden path to make it to the Welsh senior team.

Like Hannah Cain and Lois Joel, Ross has caps for the England youth teams. She was a regular in the midfield and played alongside the likes of Grace Clinton and Aggie Beever-Jones.

However, when Wales came calling, the former Lioness said it was an easy decision for her to make.

“To be honest, it was a very easy choice for me to make. It’s something I was thinking about for quite a long time. From the very first chat I had with Rhian she sold me. She was very consistent with me, very honest and transparent, and those are qualities I really value in a manager.

“She gives me the confidence to step up and come into this environment where quite a lot of the girls have been together and known each other for a while.

“For her to put that trust in me and allow me to make my debut was great and it’s given me a lot of confidence. But overall, it was a pretty easy decision.”

Another figure who was key in helping Ross make the move over the Severn Bridge was recently retired Welsh great Kayleigh Barton.

Barton spent a number of seasons with the midfielder at The Valley, and she revealed how helpful the forward was in helping her make a decision.

“I kept in touch with Kayleigh quite a lot last year. She was another who gave me a lot of confidence. Kayleigh kept saying how she thought Wales would be a great environment for me and she’s not wrong!

“I’ve formed a really great relationship with Kayleigh over the past few years and it’s nice to have people like her to lean on. Coming in has been tough and the standard is so high, but the group has been great.”

None of this would be possible, of course, without a family connection.

When it comes to Ross, she qualifies through her grandmother, and she has fond memories of spending time with her in South Wales.

“My gran is how I qualify for Wales. She was born and raised in Barry. My Dad spent a lot of time there too. He was actually a police officer there and played semi-pro.

“It’s a very familiar place for me. I used to go there when I was younger and used to play a lot in the arcades, but that’s where my connection comes from.”

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Mixed Debut

Ross started for Wales in the 5-2 defeat to Poland in Newport last month.

Fast forward to today, and the youngster still can’t quite comprehend what happened to her at Rodney Parade.

“Wearing the shirt for my debut was a very surreal experience. I still don’t think it’s sunk in for me! I’m still trying to absorb everything that’s happened, but it was great to be out on the pitch with such a talented group.

“I don’t get to play with or against them week in and week out because they’re playing in the top leagues, but to play with them against top opposition too was great.”

The game against the Poles was an indicator that Wales are well and truly in a new era.

It was the first time in over a decade none of Jess Fishlock, Angharad James or Sophie Ingle started a game for Cymru, and Ross believes any youngster going into this senior team knows the level expected of them.

“The girls did an amazing job over the summer and that gives the new players that come in a real motivation to try and keep those standards high and to continue to be competitive.

“You can see the standard day in and day out in camp. We’re all on a journey together and we are all striving towards the same goals.”

Despite the joy of making her debut, not everything went well for Ross.

The result against Poland was far from ideal, and the midfielder knows Wales have to find a level of consistency in their upcoming games.

“In the game against Poland we didn’t get the result that we wanted. We played some good football, and we did have some good moments, but we didn’t do it on a consistent basis. We have to build on that game, and we fuel it to the fire ready for this camp.”

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Signs of Improvement

This will be the Red Wall’s final chance to see Wales in action in 2025 as they prepare to take on South Korea and Switzerland in Spain.

It’s eleven games without a win this year for Rhian Wilkinson’s side. Despite it being an historic year, to not pick up a win of any kind would be worrying for Cymru heading into next year’s World Cup qualifiers.

Ross, however, is keen for the team to block out the outside noise as Wales prepare to face South Korea on Friday night in Malaga.

“I think it’s important, first and foremost, to put in a good performance. Everyone wants to win games, but we have to ignore the outside noise at the minute.

“The vibes in camp at the minute are good, everyone is training well, we’re preparing for every game with the exact same mentality every time.

“We need to realise that we’re a good team and that we can play football. We’ve shown that in our previous games, but we have to keep being consistent and the results will come.”

(Featured Image: Ashley Crowden/FAW)