FOOTBALL INSPIRATION
Wales stars go back to grass roots during countdown to big match
WALES manager Gemma Grainger and midfielder Rachel Rowe spent time in Llanelli as the side prepare to welcome fans to Parc y Scarlets for their upcoming 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier match.
“Part of the legacy that myself and the players want to leave is how we inspire and positively affect people, and this allows you get to meet the next generation,” explained Grainger. “It meant so much to me as I absolutely love going out and meeting people. I love coaching the kids too, I sometimes prefer it to coaching adults!”
Grainger and Rowe helped coach a Huddle session at CPD Evans & Williams AFC in Llanelli in the countdown to the match against Kazakhstan at Parc y Scarlets on Friday, September 17.
Grainger said: “From a female role model point of view it’s important to get out there and my plan is to cover as much of the country as I can. I want to help build and inspire, and for people to have that connection with the squad and know that they have a national team to be proud of.”
The opening match of the FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign will be the first competitive match since Grainger’s appointment in March, but challenge matches against Canada, Denmark and Scotland over the course of the last few months have provided vital preparation for the new manager and her squad.
While Grainger and her players are focused on the next campaign, getting out and building relationships with the Welsh football public after being unable to do so through the pandemic has been an important part of the job, especially as fans will be returning to the stadium for the opening match.
“I can’t wait to do more of it,” Grainger added. “For myself and the team to get out and meet as many people as we can and to have that connection with people through football is something that I’ve missed.
“The fans give us an advantage. I know how important their support is to me, the staff and the players. They give you that extra edge.
“We want to do it for them and to make the country proud.”
Tickets for the match start at £2 (group booking) and £4 (individual bookings) for children, available at faw.cymru/tickets