Over 250 women came to the Cardiff City Stadium on 13 November for the Urdd’s #FelMerch conference. Siân Lewis, Chief Executive of the Urdd, said the intention of the day was to "inspire, empower, and give young women a voice."
This was the third #FelMerch conference, with pupils from all over Wales participating in practical activities and listening to a panel of influential women.
"Follow your interests and give it a go"
To further inspire us, Rhian Wilkinson was on the panel - manager of the Welsh women's National football team. She knows how to lift spirits and transform sports for women, and she spoke about her challenging experience as a youngster playing when there were fewer teams, and opportunities for women.
She said there was "a lot of pressure" on young women today and encouraged those who listened to follow a path that inspired them.
"Going from strength to strength"
Lili Jones started playing football for a boys' team when she was 6 years old, and has already played for the Wrexham women's team, who have played in front of a crowd of 9,500 at the Racecourse.
She emphasised that the conference is a "huge encouragement" for women who wish to participate in the sport, and that women's football is "going from strength to strength" and still growing.
She added; "if you create further opportunities for girls to play the game, the number that become elite players also increases".
"There are no barriers"
Also sharing her story was the winner of the Welsh Young Sporting Hero award in 2019, Mia Lloyd, who now represents Wales as a long-distance para-athlete after being diagnosed with bone cancer at the age of 10.
Ela-Letton Jones also spoke of her experience after receiving a silver medal in her first appearance at this year's World Para Swimming Championship, and the obstacles and hard work as she practiced and competed.
"We're not afraid to show new skills"
Pupils said that the sporting opportunities in their schools had improved enormously in recent years. "I've learned that women are not afraid to show new skills," said one of them.
"There is room for further investment"
Siân Lewis mentioned that financial challenges still create an obstacle. "If we want to see real change, there must be fair funding and financial investment"
She also agreed with Rhian Wilkinson and said that the situation would be very different if women's and men's sports had received fair funding over the past decades.
"This is a starting point"
However, it was noted that partnerships with the FAW, WRU and Disability Sports Wales and other organizations are a positive step towards making sports for women more visible in the media and in their communities.
According to the organisers, the day gave women the opportunity to learn, discuss and be inspired to take part in sport, join boards to voice their opinion, and stand up for what is important to them.
Gwenllian Mason
