Latest news with #RhianWilkinson
BBC News
15-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Decades behind' Wales to invest in post-Euro 2025 pathway
Wales' Euro 2025 campaign has been and Wilkinson's side suffered defeats in each of their Group D matches against the Netherlands, France and qualification alone for the summer showpiece in Switzerland represented huge progress for the Welsh what about the next step?Following the conclusion of Wales' debut major tournament campaign, BBC Sport Wales looks at the key aspects of the game that will be addressed in the near future to ensure the summer of 2025 was not a one-off. 'Playing catch-up' Reflecting on the past, former Wales captain Laura McAllister said the Football Association of Wales (FAW) "has embraced the game with great energy and enthusiasm in recent times".But the Uefa vice-president admitted Wales were still "playing catch-up" to the world's leading football nations given that they were not officially established until 1993 - with their withdrawal from the Euro 2005 qualifiers also being another major Wales' 6-1 loss to the Lionesses in their final Euro 2025 game, another ex-Wales skipper, Kath Morgan, said Wilkinson's side had been below-par in Switzerland."I'm disappointed for the girls, this is not the script we had written individually and collectively," she told BBC Radio Wales."I think we've underperformed massively, we didn't want to play like that on the European stage and it's disappointing."FAW chief executive Noel Mooney admits Wales have a long way to go to bridge the gap to the top-tier nations."As an association, we've got a strategy here, Ein Cymru (Our Wales)," he told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast."The number one objective we had over this period up to 2026 was to get to a major women's international finals, which we achieved. "If you're going to go, you might as well play against the best in the world, and my God we did that."He added: "We're decades behind in terms of investment. That's what we're doing here at the FAW, is to catch up with countries who have put in tens and hundreds of millions of pounds into their game over a number of years." What does investment look like? Former Wales player and manager Jayne Ludlow gave a blunt assessment while working as a pundit on ITV's coverage of Sunday's 6-1 thrashing by England."Listening to Rhian, many people may think it's refreshing to acknowledge mistakes were made, but I think she's a head coach that's crying out for support, not necessarily from the people around her but the wider football environment in Wales," said Ludlow."They can't compete at this level right now. There's no messing about with that. We've lost three games and we've lost them heavily. That doesn't mean we can't compete in the future."It is a matter the FAW continues to address as it seeks to close the gap to those above Wales in Fifa's world to the Euros, the governing body issued a £1m fund towards improving Welsh facilities due to an "explosion" of girls wanting to play football, according to also says more than £20m has been invested through the Cymru Football Foundation over recent years - adding that the FAW has "revolutionised" how it invests in the men's and women's game in given their Euro qualification, 2025 will see the women's side receive more investment than Craig Bellamy's men's side."Over the last few years we've multiplied our investment into the women's game," Mooney explained."So in this year, we'll invest more in the women's national team than the men's national team. We'll have got €1.8m (£1.5m) for participating in the Euros."Looking ahead, the FAW expects to announce a new strategy for the Adran Leagues - with Mooney stating there will be a "multi-million pound investment" behind the FAW is also expected to announce a "long-term high-performance plan" next year, in line with the FAW's 150th anniversary. Pathway concerns At present, there is no women's national side between under-19 and first-team after Wales' tournament exit was confirmed, concerns were raised about the pathway to the senior women's who won 61 caps for her country, said: "There's a lot to do. Great that we've got to this stage but, developmentally, our pathways for our young players to get to the top level… there's so much to do."Morgan and ex-Wales striker Helen Ward both noted concerns about the costs involved of introducing an under-21 or under-23 side, although Ward admitted there is a "jump" from youth football to the senior says the pathway is among the topics the FAW will discuss in its post-tournament review later this year."With the Under-19s, we don't have the hugest playing pool in the world. That's a discussion we'll certainly have post-Euros," he said."A lot of other countries don't have it. A lot of the best players when they're 17, 18 or 19 go straight into the senior squad so they would bypass the 21s anyway, it's still a bit different to the men's game."That's a debate we'll have with our stakeholders and the management team, then we'll make a decision on what's the right thing for us to do to give us the best chance of competing toe-to-toe with these top world nations." Talent spotting and future progress The FAW has enjoyed great success in identifying and attracting Welsh-qualified players to commit to playing for the men's side over recent years - with current internationals Ethan Ampadu, David Brooks and Kieffer Moore among the England-born contingent opting to wear the red of Wales. Mooney feels it is an aspect that can be improved within the women's set-up, with players based in nations including the United States being explored."We've already revolutionised our whole youth pathway for women coming through," he said."So we already have a high-performance plan that's only a couple of years old."We also need to look at the talent ID system. We've got players who we have identified outside of Cymru who can come into that squad and add a lot of quality."Mooney has already stated the FAW will conduct a review into a wide range of issues surrounding the women's game in Wales, as it bids to build on the significant strides made over recent Ludlow feels the upcoming months will be pivotal in determining whether or not Wales continue to improve as a women's footballing nation."The decisions the FAW make going forwards are going to be huge to whether we get to this stage again, and whether we can progress," she said.
ITV News
14-07-2025
- Sport
- ITV News
Wales crash out of Euro's 2025 after historic campaign
Rhian Wilkinson's Wales squad have been knocked out of Euro's 2025 after a historic tournament for the country
The Independent
14-07-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
They have to be playing – Rhian Wilkinson seeking regular action for Wales squad
Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson vowed to seek out opportunities for her players after the 'mind-blowing' experience of naming a Euro 2025 squad with five players out of contract. Wales – the lowest-ranked side in Switzerland – finished last and without a point in Group D, widely viewed as the competition's 'group of death', following their 6-1 loss to defending champions England, who qualified for the quarter-finals alongside France. In order to address what Wilkinson feels is a 'real fitness gap' between her major tournament debutants and top sides like England, the Canadian coach is adamant they need to be more involved at club level. 'An international programme can't really do that,' said Wilkinson. 'We get them on a FIFA window for 10 days. So, my players have to be playing. 'I had five players out of contract here. It's mind-blowing to me. Esther Morgan starts all our games, and she doesn't have a club. 'It drives me wild. As a Canadian who was developed in the US, of course it's not the US' priority to develop the Canadians. I look at some of my players, and it does frustrate me, you can tell. 'I've got to try to find them opportunities abroad, maybe in Scandinavia, maybe I can send them to North America, which is a tough challenge, but they have to be playing. That's the basic.' Goalkeeper Poppy Soper, centre-back Rhiannon Roberts, midfielder Alice Griffiths, forward Kayleigh Barton and former Wales captain Sophie Ingle were all unattached when Wilkinson's squad was unveiled on June 19th, with several others – including Morgan – now looking for new employers after the ends of their club contracts. Roberts has since signed a two-year deal with Women's Super League 2 side Sunderland, while Barton has been named the new head coach for Saltdean United. Ingle is a free agent after leaving Chelsea, where she made 214 appearances and lifted 11 trophies across two spells, but missed out on almost a year of action – and their sixth-straight WSL title – after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury last pre-season. She marked her comeback in Wales' Euro 2025 opening loss to the Netherlands. 'The next stage is how do I get (players) into an environment where they're getting that game time?' Wilkinson continued. 'And then the next step is they're not club players, they're international players. 'So what is it that we're doing with Wales to support their sport scientists, because they have to be ready, but they are owned by their club? 'How do we work with them to continue to push their physical standards, because, I'll be honest, we don't have enough of my players right now who are hitting the top-level benchmark.' Wilkinson and her players have spoken about the legacy they want to leave, pointing to the example of England's 2022 European champions, who used their triumph to spark policy change and investment into grassroots and school sport. 'I need to get back to Wales and keep making sure that across our country we continue to push opportunities for our young girls, for all sport,' added Wilkinson. 'This is a time in the world with a lot happening. I'm a football manager, I can't speak too much, but I will say that giving equal opportunity to our young girls has got to be something we push for.'
The Star
14-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Wales coach Wilkinson issues plea for better opportunities after Euro 2025 exit
Soccer Football - UEFA Women's Euro 2025 - Group D - England v Wales - Arena St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland - July 13, 2025 Wales manager Rhian Wilkinson reacts REUTERS/Annegret Hilse ST. GALLEN, Switzerland (Reuters) -Wales coach Rhian Wilkinson issued a passionate plea for more sports opportunities for girls and women after their 6-1 thrashing by England on Sunday laid bare the vast difference in experience and opportunities between the neighbouring nations. Wales crashed out of Euro 2025 with their lopsided loss against the defending champions, losing their three group games by a combined 13-2. "It gives me the opportunity to put out a call to action," Wilkinson said. "What I would say first is that there are no excuses. This is absolutely a thorough and deserved win by England and by their coaching staff and how they were set up and some of their movements were fantastic. "The next stage is that I need to get back to Wales, and I need to keep making sure that across our country, we continue to push opportunity for our young girls for all sport." Wilkinson spoke about how, after England's Euro 2022 victory, Lionesses defender Lotte Wubben-Moy spearheaded a campaign with an open letter from the team to the government demanding equal access to school football for girls. The campaign was largely deemed a success with the UK government implementing measures to ensure girls have the same opportunities at school as boys. "This is a time in the world with a lot happening, I'm a football manager, I can't speak too much, but I will say that giving equal opportunity to our young girls has got to be something that we continue to push for," Wilkinson said. The coach pointed to a huge gap in playing opportunities between countries, comparing Wales' situation to her own experience of growing up in Canada but having to go to the U.S. to develop as a player. "We get them on a FIFA window for 10 days," she said. "My players have to be playing. I have five players out of contract here, it is mind blowing to me. Esther Morgan starts all of our games and she doesn't have a club. It drives me wild. I've got to try and find them opportunities abroad." Her team etched several firsts into the Welsh history books in Switzerland. Jess Fishlock scored their first goal in a major tournament in a 4-1 loss to France, while Hannah Cain became the first Welsh woman to score against England in 45 years. While five fans famously travelled to see Wales play a World Cup qualifier in 2021, thousands flocked to Euro 2025. Wales sold out their 2,400 ticket allocation for Sunday's game, although the estimated number of Welsh fans in attendance was much more. While her team made history over the past week and a half, the pain was still fresh after Sunday's game to appreciate their historic feat, Wilkinson said. "When you just come off a pitch from a game like that, it's not time for the bigger picture yet," she said. "We took our first step, we dipped our toes into the water, and we want more of it." (Reporting by Lori Ewing)
Straits Times
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Wales coach Wilkinson issues plea for better opportunities after Euro 2025 exit
ST. GALLEN, Switzerland - Wales coach Rhian Wilkinson issued a passionate plea for more sports opportunities for girls and women after their 6-1 thrashing by England on Sunday laid bare the vast difference in experience and opportunities between the neighbouring nations. Wales crashed out of Euro 2025 with their lopsided loss against the defending champions, losing their three group games by a combined 13-2. "It gives me the opportunity to put out a call to action," Wilkinson said. "What I would say first is that there are no excuses. This is absolutely a thorough and deserved win by England and by their coaching staff and how they were set up and some of their movements were fantastic. "The next stage is that I need to get back to Wales, and I need to keep making sure that across our country, we continue to push opportunity for our young girls for all sport." Wilkinson spoke about how, after England's Euro 2022 victory, Lionesses defender Lotte Wubben-Moy spearheaded a campaign with an open letter from the team to the government demanding equal access to school football for girls. The campaign was largely deemed a success with the UK government implementing measures to ensure girls have the same opportunities at school as boys. "This is a time in the world with a lot happening, I'm a football manager, I can't speak too much, but I will say that giving equal opportunity to our young girls has got to be something that we continue to push for," Wilkinson said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore HSA intensifies crackdown on vapes; young suspected Kpod peddlers nabbed in Bishan, Yishun Singapore Man charged over distributing nearly 3 tonnes of vapes in one day in Bishan, Ubi Avenue 3 Singapore Singapore to train more aviation and maritime officials from around the world Business Singapore's economy sees surprise expansion in Q2 despite US tariff uncertainty: Advance estimate Singapore High Court dismisses appeal of drink driver who killed one after treating Tampines road like racetrack Singapore 18 years' jail for woman who hacked adoptive father to death after tussle over Sengkang flat Singapore Jail, caning for man who had 285 child porn videos, including those that show infants Singapore Three power firms get co-funding to study carbon capture, storage to help Singapore decarbonise The coach pointed to a huge gap in playing opportunities between countries, comparing Wales' situation to her own experience of growing up in Canada but having to go to the U.S. to develop as a player. "We get them on a FIFA window for 10 days," she said. "My players have to be playing. I have five players out of contract here, it is mind blowing to me. Esther Morgan starts all of our games and she doesn't have a club. It drives me wild. I've got to try and find them opportunities abroad." Her team etched several firsts into the Welsh history books in Switzerland. Jess Fishlock scored their first goal in a major tournament in a 4-1 loss to France, while Hannah Cain became the first Welsh woman to score against England in 45 years. While five fans famously travelled to see Wales play a World Cup qualifier in 2021, thousands flocked to Euro 2025. Wales sold out their 2,400 ticket allocation for Sunday's game, although the estimated number of Welsh fans in attendance was much more. While her team made history over the past week and a half, the pain was still fresh after Sunday's game to appreciate their historic feat, Wilkinson said. "When you just come off a pitch from a game like that, it's not time for the bigger picture yet," she said. "We took our first step, we dipped our toes into the water, and we want more of it." REUTERS
