This summer, history was made: Wales made their debut at their first ever European Championships in Switzerland. Against the odds, they faced some of Europe’s biggest teams: France, the Netherlands and England. Although their journey ended at the group stage, they left with something far greater than results. They returned home with pride, belief for the future, and two goals that will be etched into history forever.
For players, fans and communities across Wales, this was more than just a tournament. It was proof that Wales’ women’s team belong on the biggest stage.
Among those celebrating is Rosie Hughes, renowned striker and star player for Wrexham AFC Women, who shared her reflections with Beyond the Pitch on what this achievement means for the game, and how it can ignite a new era for women’s football in Wales.
The Summit of Emotions
Born and raised in the coastal town of Colwyn Bay in North Wales, Hughes knows what it means to see women’s football reach new heights of visibility in Wales. With the Football Association of Wales’ (FAW) increasing their efforts to make the game more accessible in all regions of Wales, especially with the dramatic squad announcement at the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), Rosie Hughes shared what this visibility means to her.
“I’ve hiked Yr Wyddfa multiple times, day and night, sun and rain,” she said.
“I thought it was a fantastic idea to have the Wales women’s team announced at the top…I’ve often felt ‘on top of the world’ watching the sunrise from the summit.”
For Hughes, who grew up kicking a ball in the street,
“the exposure for Wales and especially North Wales is so good for the community, and for local women’s teams that, like me, never believed it was possible to pursue a career in football.”
This exposure is nothing short of transformative.
History Makers
Qualifying for the Euros was monumental in itself, but Wales went further, scoring two outstanding goals, one a classic Jess Fishlock strike against France, the other a rocket from Hannah Cain against England.
For Hughes, those are the moments that proved Wales were at the start of something bigger.
“They’re not only making history, but building a legacy that shows Welsh women’s football can compete with the best,” she said.
“Personally, it fills me with determination and motivates me every day to be better and push even harder.”
This Wales team are set to have an undeniable influence, not only on the current generation of players like Rosie Hughes, but also the next generation of young girls and even boys who dream of being the next Jess Fishlock or Hannah Cain.
Hughes shared that
“at the age of 10 I would never have believed women’s football would be anything more than kicking a ball around the streets and playing for your local team.”
Young girls now have role models to look up to – they see people from their hometowns on prime-time television, living their dream.
Building a Legacy
FAW has seen exponential growth in women’s football since 2022, with participation in girls’ teams up by more than 50% and record attendances across domestic and international fixtures. Hughes believes the Euros will accelerate that trend.
“Wales qualifying for the Euros is a huge milestone,” she said.
“Just like we saw in England, it has the potential to spark real growth here. Increased visibility means more girls seeing themselves in the sport, more support from communities, and greater investment in grassroots teams. This has set a foundation for a future where Welsh women’s football thrives and inspires for generations to come.
It’s exciting to think about what’s next for Welsh women’s football. They can only go up.”
The power of the Red Wall
Whether home or away, one constant remains: Welsh fans always turn up. Thousands of fans travelled to Lucerne and St Gallen to support Wales, a true ‘12th player’ for the team. Welsh fans brought their flags, their voices and their undying passion, creating a sea of red that turned the Swiss streets into a home away from home.
“We’re a proud country and seeing so many amazing fans out in Switzerland was brilliant,” Hughes explained.
“From personal experience, that kind of backing lifts the team and gives them that extra energy on the pitch. The passion and belief of supporters can turn the tide in tough moments, and it’s a reminder the players are never alone. That connection between team and fans makes this journey so special.”
The passion of Welsh fans is infectious. With just 5 fans following the team to away games in 2021, to nearly 4,000 in Switzerland is an achievement that can’t be ignored. That growth has been remarkable and shows how much the nation has embraces its women’s team.
Keeping Momentum Alive
So, what comes next? For Hughes, the answer is clear.
“To keep this going, Wales must keep investing in the grassroots and youth development teams and programmes, making sure young girls have access to quality coaching and facilities. We need to stay visible in media, engage with fans, share our stories to build a stronger connection. And most importantly, the team must stick together, push boundaries, and show this isn’t a one-time moment, it’s the start of a new era for women’s football in Wales.”
Hughes lives that philosophy everyday with Wrexham AFC Women.
“I’m extremely proud to be Welsh and a huge advocate for women. I’m happy to be a part of making history through my own career, especially at Wrexham AFC women’s team which is on an exciting journey. I hope to support and inspire other young Welsh girls to get involved with football.”
A new era
Wales’ Euros campaign may have ended in the group stages, but the impact will be long lasting.
For Rosie Hughes, and for thousands of girls lacing up their boots across Wales, this summer proved that dreams can become reality. The journey has only just begun.
