Alex Lloyd, 30, from Maesteg, Bridgend county, said she had an interest in football from a young age but “fell back in love” with it following England’s appearance in the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia.
“I support both Wales and the Lionesses, but being Welsh it’s always important to show support to your home nation in major tournaments,” she said.
“Women’s football is evidently bigger in England than it is Wales but hopefully with Wales being in their first major tournament it will open the game up to young girls across the country.
“The success of recent tournaments for the Lionesses and the overall quality of their players draws me to them.”
She said she enjoyed football when she was younger, but the women’s game was not shown or spoken about as much as today, with a lack of idols.
“It was mostly known as a boys or men’s sport and it was always the male footballers we would want to be like,” she said.
She said it was “incredibly special” to see young girls being part of women’s teams, and praised the likes of Beth Mead for speaking openly about the loss of her mum, something Alex also experienced at a young age.