The pathway for young players to emerge as senior Cymru internationals has been pivotal to the success enjoyed by the Cymru men’s and women’s teams over the course of the last decade.
This week, three teenage stars are part of Rhian Wilkinson’s squad that headed to Italy to kick-off the new Nations League campaign. Mayzee Davies is the elder of the three and has three Cymru caps to her name since making her senior debut from the bench in the victory over Kosovo in April 2024. The 18-year old Manchester City defender has gained valuable experience from being involved with the squad, and is now targeting a place at the EURO finals this summer.
“I’m really excited,” explained Davies as she sat down with the media for the first time on Tuesday. “For Wales as a whole, it’s a really exciting time. When I first came in all the girls were really welcoming so I felt I was able to show what I can do. As a younger playing coming in I wasn’t expecting to play, especially when there are experienced players in my position, but just watching how they dealt with the pressure in those final minutes in Dublin was something I really looked out for. Eventually, that’s where I want to be.”
The daughter of John Davies, who played in defence for a number of clubs in the JD Cymru Premier, Davies began following in his footsteps at her local club in Flint before heading to Everton, Manchester City and Manchester United, before returning to City last year. “My journey started watching my dad at the weekend and I fell in love with football,” she explained. “I’m thankful for everyone who has helped me along on this journey.
“I’ve got the mindset that I’ve just got to play how I play when I come into camp, and I think if I do that then opportunities will come. All I can do is be myself around the camp, enjoy the experience and do my best. I think it’s important for a player to know that the staff have trust and faith in you, and it allows you to be yourself on and off the pitch. Playing for Wales is one of the best things. I’m just so proud to be Welsh.”
A new name in the Cymru squad for the opening two games of the new Nations League campaign against Italy and Sweden is 17-year old Scarlett Hill (below) of Manchester United. “She has a really exciting way of playing that I think fits really well into the Welsh way,” explained Wilkinson last week. “We’re just giving her an experience and we want to get her around the team. I think she’s a bit surprised, but she’s earned this opportunity and I’m really looking forward to seeing her in the environment.”
But while Hill still waits for her first senior team experience with Manchester United, she doesn’t need to look too far for inspiration. Mared Griffiths, also 17, came off the bench for her United debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup earlier this month, and scored twice in the 6-0 victory. Griffiths is still waiting for her first senior Cymru cap, but like Davies, has been an important player for the intermediate teams over the last couple of years.
“I’ve been in the squad for nearly a year now so I’ve had plenty of camps to get ready,” explained Griffiths to the media this week. “I’m comfortable in the environment and just want to push for a place in the team, get my first cap and hopefully do enough to get myself selected for the EURO’s. I’m privileged to be on camp every time, I’m so grateful. You don’t expect to be here and you shouldn’t take it for granted. You have to work hard because of the competition.
“Coming from Trawsfynydd in North Wales it’s amazing to represent my small village as well. It’s a proud moment for me and my family to just to be in this environment, and even though I haven’t had my first cap, it’s still a honour to have this opportunity. Welsh football’s developed massively over the last few years and I feel I’ve come in at the right time. It’s still developing massively, but to have players Jess Fishlock and Angharad James here now to look up to, it’s a good path to follow.”
But while the teenage trio take the first steps on their Cymru journey, defender Hayley Ladd is set to become the latest centurion during this international window. This balance of youth and experience has been key to the success of EURO qualification, and the desire to learn from those who have delivered for their country while keeping competition for places in the team at a premium means that this is just the start of a new and exciting era for this Cymru team.
