Welsh call up for three Valleys learners

Three budding female footballers from the South Wales Valleys are celebrating success after being given the chance to represent their country at an international cup.

Ellie Lake, 18, Amina Vine, 17, and Alice Griffiths, 17, were selected to represent Wales at this year’s Cyprus Women’s Cup.

The three learners, who are all studying BTEC Sport at the college’s Ystrad Mynach campus, flew to Cyprus this month to compete in the annual cup against eleven other national sides including Finland, Italy and Austria.

Eighteen-year old Ellie, from Aberdare, made the squad after impressing the national women’s head coach while representing the under 19s squad during the qualifying stages. Ellie was an integral part of the team, helping Wales to qualify for the first time in eight years.

Speaking about the experience, Ellie said: “I was so excited when I was named in the squad, especially with the competition being extremely high.  which is a good sign for a strong side going into the competition”.

Ellie was joined at the competition by Amina and Alice, from Caldicot and Aberdare respectively. The aspiring stars are no strangers to the Welsh line up, with both learners having previously represented Wales in the U16, U17 qualifying campaigns.

Commenting on the players’ successes, Claire O’Sullivan, Co-ordinator and Head Coach of the Wales Elite youth Football Academy at Coleg y Cymoedd commented: “Representing Wales is an outstanding achievement for the three learners, reflecting their exceptional skills as well as their hard work and dedication.

“The girls’ accomplishments are also testament to the quality of the player pathway that has been set up by the Football Association of Wales and the college, with the academy now boasting 16 learners who have represented their country. 

“Everyone at Coleg y Cymoedd is extremely proud of the learners and we look forward to seeing their professional careers develop.”

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