By Nathan Parker
FREYA JONES could be forgiven for basking in glory these past few months after leading the USW Women’s rugby first team to notable success.
Winning last year’s team of the year at the USW sport recognition awards was one of many accolades abrasive flanker Jones and her team achieved last season as the only female rugby side at USW went undefeated in a stellar year.
Jones, who was also up for female sports person of the year, has made huge strides over the past few years as one of USW’s leading athletes.
Going back to where it began Jones revealed it all started from when she was a kid saying “I’d always been an active child and very competitive, growing up in a sporting family, I spectated from a young age.
“Sport in general happened to be quite a natural thing for me to get involved in.
“I spent years playing other sports but didn’t find rugby until I was 15 – the physicality of the game suited me, and I took to it instantly.”.
With the success and dedication it takes to be a captain, Jones has also suffered along the way.
She said: “I have experienced a couple of injuries, including two broken ankles which have forced me to take time out over the years.
“Both times I missed out on trials and training for higher level rugby such as regional.
“It’s important to be able to hold your own, however as a leader, not as a means to state authority.
“With that in mind, respect is always crucial. It’s something that goes both ways. I respect my team as individuals and encourage them to approach me if they aren’t happy about something.”
With female athletes in the spotlight at USW after the ‘Women and Sports’ conference held at the Sport Park in Treforest, Jones said: “The opportunities are growing slowly, but I believe we are still a way off from where we could/should be.
“But in saying that, progress is better than nothing.
“The talent in women’s sport in recent years has come on massively, becoming more enjoyable and entertaining for spectators.
“Women’s Rugby in particular have been making good ground over the past couple of years, particularly since the 2014 and 2017 World cups, with professional contracts being established.
“Greater opportunities will come with an increase in promotion and exposure of competitive matches”.
Having had a pretty successful few years at the University of South Wales, Jones also revealed what the university has done for her education and her career.
She explained: “I chose USW purely because I wanted to live and breathe rugby – hence applying for the rugby course”.
Jones’ side are now flying high in division one and hopefully over the next few years there will be more than one women’s rugby side at USW.