Angharad James will make history on Saturday by becoming the first woman to captain Cymru at a major tournament and this week reflected on what it means to her to lead out this history-making squad of players.
“Honestly, it’s been something that I’ve dreamt of all my career,” explained James in an interview with UEFA this week. “It’s something I’ve worked so hard to try and achieve. Over the years we’ve had many setbacks, so to finally get it over the line and be here in Switzerland representing Wales, putting the Welsh flag on the biggest stage where it belongs, it’s a feeling that I will never forget.”
One of four centurions in this Cymru squad, James was appointed captain in October last year following Sophie Ingle’s decision to relinquish the role after wearing the armband for a decade. “Sophie is an unbelievable leader,” said James. “I’ve learnt a lot from her. She’s a team-mate and a friend that anyone would hope to have. She led this country with the utmost respect from everyone.
“As a person, I’ve tried not to change, I’ve tried to just be the Angharad James I was before and really embrace the challenge. It’s definitely been a challenge, and there’s a lot more to the role, but it’s one that I’ve always wanted and I’ve always dreamt of. Having the opportunity to do so and to be here in a major tournament captaining the team is something, a moment, that my family and I will never forget.”
A talented midfielder currently playing for Seattle Reign in the NWSL, James has amassed 132 caps for her country since making her senior debut as a teenager in October 2011. She has a unique experience within the squad as she was also part of the Cymru WU19 team that competed at the EURO finals in Wales back in 2013.
“That was a great experience to have at such a young age,” said James. “To be there and to represent Wales at a major tournament. It was part of the journey, and there has been a lot of disappointments in the Welsh jersey before now which I think has maybe brought this group a lot closer. We’re a family, we’re a close-knit group, and that’s something that I think sets us apart from all the other nations.
“In the last year we’ve grown so much as a squad. Since Rhian (Wilkinson) came in, she’s given opportunities to other players to come through, and that’s very important for the growth of this group. There’s a nice mix in the group of players that have been here for a while and new players, who are very young, and she’s turned everything around.
“She wants to leave a legacy in Wales, for the young players who are coming through and are watching us on the television or watching our games now, that’s important for her, but she’s changed so much for this group too. We play and feel so much better since she came in. That’s due to her, and I’m thankful for everything she’s done for us.”
James turned 31 last month which means it was 15 years ago that she took her first steps on the road to a career in the professional game by playing academy football at Arsenal. Since then, she has represented several clubs in England and in the United States but maintains a strong connection to her West Wales roots.
“I’m very happy with what I’ve done, and there are more things I want to do in the future,” she explained. “My journey has been unique for me. I moved away from Pembrokeshire when I was young and that was difficult to move away from my family. Now I live in America and I’m so lucky to have had the experiences I’ve had, to travel to different countries and play with some of the best players in the world.
“Now is the pinnacle of my career. I’ve worked tremendously hard over the years to try and help Wales reach a major tournament, and it’s been something this group has really tried to focus on and we’ve come short so many times, but now is our time, it’s our moment. We’re here, and finally having the Welsh badge on the biggest of stages for the first time in history is, honestly, an incredible feeling.”
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