Euro 2025 call-up 'a dream come true' for Lincoln woman
Clark started playing football at primary school, initially for the boys team. She said: "I thought, if I want to play football, that's the only way I'm going to play, and I actually loved it. "If you ask a lot of girls now that are playing at my age, we all used to play with the boys and I think it gave us a good introduction to football."Clark then joined the Lincoln Centre of Excellence and played for age groups from the under 10s to the under 15s. She went on to play for a number of teams including Nettleham Ladies FC, and Bristol City Women. She is currently the goalkeeper for Leicester City Women.
Ms Clark was 16 when she attended trials for Wales after spotting an advertisement on social media."My mum's side of the family are Welsh so I always knew I could play for Wales. I just didn't know how to get into it," she said."If I didn't open Twitter that day, I might not be going to the Euros."
Ms Clark made her senior debut for Wales in 2021, and was in goal on the night Wales secured their spot at Euro 2025.Alan Clark, Olivia's father, said: "I don't think you could get any prouder at all. "I thought I was proud before, but that game in Dublin when they actually achieved qualification - she said it was the best day of her life and it wasn't far off the best day of my life."
Reflecting on the tournament ahead of her, Ms Clark said: "It's really easy to get carried away with the moment."I want to remember enjoying it, not thinking I'm so nervous and doubting myself. I don't want that to happen. "It's a massive personal achievement, but also a massive achievement for the country, and one I'm really excited for."
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