by Jack Cook & Editor
WALES’ all-time leading goal scorer, Helen Ward, talked to second year Sports Journalism student Callum Ellis about her life in football and outside the game.
Ward has been one of the main stars of the Welsh national team since 2008. She explained how she believes raising the profile of the women’s game in the country is important.
Ward started off by talking about her life and how she found her love for football.
“My love of the game is why I got involved at school. I mostly played with the boys but that didn’t bother me.”
She said she was fortunate to have support from both school and her family.
”My goal record is something I’m very proud of. As I’ve got older the more I’ve realised what I’ve done. But recently it’s dried up so I need to get back to it,” she joked.
Ward also talked about life outside of football and about being a mother. She completed a degree in Professional Sports Writing and Broadcasting at Staffordshire University and graduated with First Class Honours in 2017.
”When I had Emily, I wasn’t enjoying football as much as I did in the past, but when I went to Reading it rekindled my love for football.
”When I had my time off, it made me think what will happen after football. I managed to complete a part-time course just before Charlie was born, and that’s something I’m really proud of.”
Finally Ward looked ahead to the European qualifiers after Wales’ successful World Cup campaign, despite losing in the deciding game against England.
Wales did not lose any of their other qualifiers and went an incredible 687 minutes without conceding in Group 1.
“It has taken a while to get over the loss against England but we are really positive and looking forward to the qualifiers.
“We have to not settle for what we achieved and push forwards and qualify for a major tournament,” she added
