Wales take on Slovakia in a two-legged semi-final at the end of this month as they seek to qualify for Women’s Euro 2025. It would be the team’s first major tournament finals and the fulfilment of a cherished ambition for so many past players, as Alys Haynes reports.
Wales may be on the threshold of history, but they have not forgotten their past.
At the weekend, the Football Association of Wales (FAW) and S4C hosted an event to honour each of the women across Wales who represented their nation in football between 1973 and 1993, before the women’s game gained affiliation with the governing body.
A total of 47 former Wales players gathered at Saint Fagans National Museum of History in Cardiff to receive their belated international caps for their contribution to the women’s game during a time before official national recognition.
For Them ❤️
A special evening celebrating those that paved the way as 47 players that represented @Cymru between 1973-1992 were presented their caps.#TogetherStronger
— FA WALES (@FAWales) October 5, 2024
Many honourees travelled to the city from all over the country to reminisce with old team-mates as well as celebrate the progression of the women’s game in Wales.
The timing of the event added to its significance by falling only weeks before Wales travel to Slovakia to take on the home side in the first leg of their European Championship qualification play-off semi-final.
Wales are moving closer to their first ever major tournament finals with the support and inspiration from the women who cleared the path for them, driving them forward.
Former captain and UEFA executive committee member, Laura McAllister said: “This will revolutionise the game in Wales, both on and off the pitch if we qualify.”
An evening to celebrate our trailblazers 🏴✨#TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/mrNRoAij1Q
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) October 4, 2024
McAllister, who received a cap on Friday for her own participation before 1993, spoke on a panel at the event on the future of women’s football in Wales.
This panel drew on the FAW’s strategy to improve the women’s game – Our Wales: For Her.
The strategy has seen big increases in participation and investment since 2021 and the aim to continue the work to progress women’s football even further.
Fellow cap receiver, Michele Adams MBE, also spoke on a second panel about the importance of the history behind the women’s game.
Adams, who played her first game for Wales aged 15 said: “We’re only a small country, so it’s very important for us to recognise our past and to remember the people who played before us. T
“The sport is completely different now from what it once was, so we must stand on their shoulders. Without them we wouldn’t be where we are today.”
Watch a special evening live from @StFagans_Museum as former Cymru players from 1973-1992 are presented with their caps 🏴🎓#TogetherStronger https://t.co/3VpA6hhUMT
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) October 4, 2024
When asked about the significance of holding an event like this over 30 years since the team joined the FAW, Adams added: “It’s great that this is happening for those women who played in the very first game 50 years ago and never received any recognition.
“We had to fight very hard to get those caps so I’m over the moon for everyone.”
Adams’ opinion reflects that of many women who attended on Friday night.
Debbie Pearson, who played her first international game in 1977 and travelled to Cardiff with her daughter for the special evening, said: “I think it’s brilliant that something like this is now happening for us.
“The way these girls play today is absolutely brilliant and I’m so glad that the game has gotten off the ground and that what all we did for the sport has been recognised.”
The ceremony closed with a special message of thanks from current head coach Rhian Wilkinson, who hopes to lead Wales to greater achievements in the coming years and continue to build upon the legacy left by those pioneering early players of Welsh women’s football.
— Laura McAllister 🏴 (@LauraMcAllister) October 4, 2024