Ludlow expects Wales' Euros adventure to inspire future generation of female players

FORMER captain Jayne Ludlow believes Wales are ready to reap the rewards from their Euros debut and grow women’s football.

- By MILLY MCEVOY

Ludlow, who represented her country 61 times before coaching the side for seven years, has helped the growth of the women’s game in Wales.

She is now excited for the nation to earn the benefits of having their women’s team play at a major tournament with their first match against the Netherlands this evening.

“In Wales, we are little bit late to the party, in female sport in general not just in football,” she said.

“If you compared to our neighbours, 10 years ago England were ploughing a lot of resources into the women’s game and supporting it in a different manner.

“They are a bigger nation, but you can say the same about Scotland, you can say the same for Ireland and Northern Ireland.

“We have been a little bit slower to get there but now we are getting there it is about the growth in the grassroots environment.

“We're in a good place but there is still a lot to do.”

Ludlow was speaking at the training base for Gwalia United, Wales’ oldest women’s football club and the only Welsh team operating in the English women’s system.