Wales manager visits young footballers at Caerphilly Castle Ladies and Girls FC

Wales women’s manager Gemma Grainger paid a visit to Caerphilly this week to meet budding young footballers at Caerphilly Castle Ladies and Girls FC.

Grainger met members of the club’s mini and junior teams as they took part in their weekly training session at Virginia Park, answering their questions and signing items they had brought along with them.

The visit came after the club held its 25th football festival, which saw more than 300 people take part as £450 was raised for mental health charity Heads Above The Waves.

Club coach Bethan Bushen said: “We’re so grateful to Gemma for taking the time to come and visit us, especially when she’s preparing for the start of a new campaign.

“It will help us in our recruitment when promoting girls’ football. The girls thoroughly enjoyed the experience and a lot of them have been to the senior matches before, so to see Gemma in person and being able to ask her questions is something that they’ll treasure.”

Bushen described Grainger as “such a mentor and an inspiration to girls in football” and continued: “The minis and juniors absolutely loved it and I’ve had such great feedback off the parents.

“There was so much stuff for Gemma to sign after the session and we’re really grateful that she was able to sign it all for the girls.

“This evening has been a once in a lifetime opportunity and I don’t think the girls will ever forget it.”

Grainger, who is gearing up for Wales’ upcoming UEFA Women’s Nations League campaign, said it was “amazing” to visit the club and “see what great work all the coaches are doing”.

Wales face Iceland away from on Friday September 22 before welcoming Denmark to Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday September 26 – with tickets on sale for the latter.

Grainger continued: “I know they’ll be coming to watch us against Denmark and we would really love to see as many people as we can in Cardiff to get behind the team.”

Bushen added: “We’re definitely going to be at the Denmark match and we’re keen to be the loudest in the stadium. We’ll all come in our yellow kits so you’ll probably be able to spot us in the sea of red.

“We’re really looking forward to the upcoming campaign and we’ll all, of course, be behind Cymru.