Dai has been thinking about the progress, and heart break.
I’ve been thinking a lot about the women’s team and their performances the last few days. It says a lot about what they have done, for us to say as fans that coming joint second and missing out on a weird head to head rule, is disappointing. I’m guilty as much as anyone sometimes
The thing is about this side, and the men’s side, is that they’ve allowed us as fans to dream a little about success. And when you just miss out like we have for two campaigns in a row, it makes it a little harder having had that hope. And whatever we feel, imagine how they feel!
Real success for Cymru Women’s Team
The reality is that they have already been successful. They’ve made women’s Welsh football part of the national footballing conversation. Yes it’s easier because they all seem to get on and seem a brilliant bunch, but it’s also what they’ve done on the field, even without the Q.
I know that a barometer of success shouldn’t be “we’re talking about women’s football” but I think things are beyond that. I know there are load of young girls and boys getting involved with football because of the National team, regardless of gender.
It shouldn’t stop there, and we are right to be disappointed that we have missed out on qualification again, because this was our best chance of getting across the line, looking at the group. That’s important. We need to stop looking at them as plucky underdogs.
We need to look at them as the talented group they are because of the on field progress they’ve made. They make me nothing but proud because of their commitment to trying to learn Welsh, for promoting LGBTQ equality and so much more.
The best of people
Finally, I’ve not come across loads of footballers, but I can say that the players we’ve spoken to have been some of the best, funniest, generous with their time and ultimately nicest people we’ve chatted with. So open. It’s refreshing and that’s why so many people are tuning in.
People have a genuine connection with the national team players and I think that’s amazing. So to the players we’ve spoken to, thank you. We’re proud of you and know this is one of the final steps on a long journey. It’s going to a long journey to Australia and NZ. See you there?
This blog was originally a twitter thread. Helen Ward responded there:
