By Harry Corish
Jess Fishlock is not going to sit back and applaud those who have finally come around to the quality of women’s football.
But Wales’ most experienced player believes the record crowd at the crucial World Cup qualifier against Slovenia on Tuesday night can be yet another catalyst for change in Wales.
Fishlock has long been a trailblazer in women’s football.
Having joined AZ Alkmaar in 2008, the talented midfielder has forged a path for female footballers during her pursuit for excellence at the top level.
Sadly for Welsh fans that search has taken her off around the world, rather than receiving opportunities ready for her at home.
World Cup qualification success might just mean that in the future that would no longer be the case.
Having been part of the Welsh set-up since 2006, Fishlock has seen the highs and lows of women’s sport.
It is a pleasure to welcome @sophiehowe, @AbiAbim OBE, Professor David Beerling, @dothodge, @JessFishlock MBE, Joseph Yun, @JuliaGillard, @SPcawl10 and Sir @geoffmulgan as Honorary Fellows at the #CardiffGrad Class of 2022 Ceremony this evening! 🎉🎓 pic.twitter.com/cJyPJL4BNk
— Cardiff University (@cardiffuni) July 20, 2022
She has always been a flagbearer for the women’s game, often pushing against stereotypes to chase her dream around the world.
In what feels like a golden era for women’s sport, with increasing levels of professionalism, as well as high levels of exposure online and on TV, women’s football is certainly riding the wave.
Fishlock believes it is time for female athletes to be given the support to maximise the current success and make sure it is replicated 10 times over in the coming years.
“I feel like the game here has changed, but all the excitement around Welsh football comes from our campaign and how well the men have gone and qualifying for the World Cup,” she says.
“The Euros was a huge success, one of the home nations winning a major tournament is always fantastic, I have no doubt that it will drip feed down.
“All the support we are receiving now, like the young girls coming to watch us train at the Vale, it is down to what we have been achieving, also.
“Women’s football is growing in this country and it is growing all over the world. The Euros is just an addition to that.
It’s not every day you get to meet your idols 🤝
A special moment for academy player Lenna yesterday as she spent time with Megan Rapinoe and Jess Fishlock 🙌 pic.twitter.com/EtYjXj0FiP
— Tottenham Hotspur Women (@SpursWomen) August 19, 2022
“This is what it should have been for a long time now. I am not going to sit here and congratulate everybody for only now realising that this is what it should have been a long time ago, but I am excited to see what happens moving forward.
“The women’s game needs to get the respect it deserves. Hopefully, attitudes have now changed. I think the investment needs to come prior rather than after.”
Her view, she feels, was reinforced by England’s success in the Euros.
“The Euros has really emphasised how long it has taken people to understand and realise just how great women’s football is.
“And, from a commercial perspective, how good it can be. It is unfortunate that we always have to do things and prove things before we actually get anything out of it. That’s just the way it is.
“For change to really happen, we need to have all of the investment, the support prior to allow us to be the very best we can possibly be in order to achieve.
A gem of a finish from @JessFishlock to pull one back! @OLReign | #BoldTogether pic.twitter.com/HcakxRpbKM
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) July 31, 2022
“I think once that penny finally drops and people are on board, then the people making the big decisions flip that. Women’s sport will just run.
“I have no doubt the game will grow so much more over the next five years. But as of right now, I think we are doing a great job from our campaign and little girls are wanting to be like us and I think we can take a little bit of credit for that.”
Despite the heartbreak of missing out on representing her country at the major tournaments so far, maybe the time is now for Welsh football – with one team already having made a World Cup finals.
The 35-year-old – whose team need just a point to make the tournament play-offs – says: “It will be super fun, having all the support and the atmosphere will be amazing.
“But I am not really thinking to much about it just yet. We are focussing on the game and we have to put in a good performance.
“I’m sure the crowd will be great and we will be able to enjoy that. It has been great to see so many young girls cheering us on at our games recently. I hope they can look up to us and really believe.
DIWRNOD Y GÊM 🏴🇸🇮
Without #TheRedWall, we are nothing. You have been incredible. Diolch am eich cefnogaeth ❤️#BeFootball | #TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/0U1QeJmzIO
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) September 6, 2022
Fishlock is one of the world’s best players and, just like Gareth Bale, is deserving of representing her country at the highest level at what would be the women’s first major tournament finals.
“I wouldn’t mind so much about my CV, but for me as a proud Welsh woman, it would be something that I probably would not be able to get past for the rest of my life. It would definitely be something that would eat me up forever.
“It is definitely the best group of young players I have seen come through. The squad that we have, the kids that are coming through and the commitment that Gemma (Grainger) and the coaches have to give the younger players what they need to develop, is very good.
“This squad is by far the best squad that I have been part of when it comes to Wales.
“It is super helpful that a lot of the girls are playing at professional clubs now, and we have a squad that is in that daily environment and that environment will help a lot of things.
“Gemma is full of support all the time, building the girls’ confidence, and making players feel that everyone can play in this squad.
“I think that is a very good place to be in.”
