A former Cymru international and PE teacher will be bringing a class of pupils from Ynys Môn on Tuesday to support Cymru.
Katie Davies – known as Williams when she played for Cymru – will be travelling down with 30 children from Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi.
The staff and children will be making the four and a half hour bus journey from Ynys Môn to watch Cymru in their final UEFA Euro 2025 qualifier versus Kosovo.
Davies said: “The kids are so excited they can’t wait to come and see the players! I’ve wanted to bring the kids down for a long time, they love football and I want to fuel their enthusiasm and show them what they can achieve with hard work.”
Katie Davies got her first call up for Cymru on her 18th birthday and made her debut for Cymru in 2004. She played a part in Cymru’s 3-2 win over Portugal in the Algarve cup. Best known as a defender, she went on to be in the team for seven years where she was capped 20 times. She started her career at Bangor City just aged 14 where she most notably won the Welsh Cup and later went on to play for Liverpool.
Having played alongside the likes of Sophie Ingle and Jess Fishlock and now watching the team on the cusp of major tournament qualifications Davies said: “I think it’s so exciting and I’m so happy and proud of where they are now and hope they can take that final step to get the rewards they deserve.”
She recalled the passion and pride she felt putting on the Welsh shirt. Having been a part of the set up at a time when women’s football was less visible, emphasised to her how important it is for children to have female role models.
“I remember having men as my role models but to have strong female athletes/footballers just shows that it can be achieved and there is a pathway to make a career out of being good at a sport, which is amazing.
The progression in the game is incredible. I hear the kids talking in school about the game at the weekend or naming players – realising that they are talking about the women’s game is just brilliant! Of course there is always more progress to be made but it is moving in the right direction,” said Davies.
Cymru face Kosovo this Tuesday 16 July at Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli (KO 18:00). If you are inspired to make the trip there is still time to secure your tickets.
