A Wise move to choose Debbie

Debbie Wise has already made an impact since she joined Pembrokeshire County Council’s ‘Sport Pembrokeshire’ department as the Football Development Officer after her previous role as National Women’s and Girls’ Football Co-ordinator, where she was based at the indoor barn at the Vale Hotel, just off Junction 34 on the m$ near Cardiff.
As well as taking a passionate interest in the female side of the sport which she has played since she was a nipper herself, she also coaches the county under 13s boys’ team and trains others to become coaching leaders on courses she holds wherever they are needed.

Leaders’ courses

Her most recent course was at Bush Camp, the home of Pennar Robins, where she spent her Saturday and Sunday with those people who wanted to take their first step into being a coach with junior players.  As she told us, I deliver the leaders’ course, not only dealing with skills but other issues like organisation, safety and the welfare of young players, and I did the final assessment once the course was completed.”
It is great to report that she was delighted by the quality and commitment of those who turned up.

Busy weekends

Not content with that little lot, Debbie also coached the under 13s academy with Chris Griffiths at the Bridge Meadow on the Friday evening and then stayed to watch Haverfordwest County draw with TNS in the Premier League afterwards! That was on top of a busy week in work and caused Debbie to chuckle when she was asked how many hours a week she actually put into her role!
She joined ‘Sport Pembrokeshire’ in December 2007 and it gave her the chance to return to her native county since her home was in Cenarth and she now resides in Crymych. She loves being back home and is adamant that the football set-up in the county would take some beating anywhere.

Part of Welsh set-up

She has been part of the Girls’ Football in Wales scheme that has seen the likes of Stacy John and Anna Doble gain their Welsh caps and is delighted that Molly Furnival Doran has been the latest to make the break-through with Welsh recognition. Debbie also works with the South Wales Regional Squad and this means trips as far afield for meetings as Cardiff and Newtown.

Still playing after 16 years

Debbie has always loved football since she was a young girl and used to support the Newcastle Emlyn team managed by Martin Llewellyn. She played junior football with the boys in a team but at 14 had to switch to the Newcastle Emlyn ladies’ side and was soon in the county team as a strong-running midfield player.
She still plays for Newcastle and in the intervening 16 years has been heavily involved, other than during her time in college where she played for UWIC and Dinas Powys Ladies
But then it was back to Newcastle Emlyn for Debbie:  “We were regarded as one of the best three ladies’ teams in Wales at that time and used to play against the likes of Newport Strikers, Cardiff City and Swansea in the Welsh Cup. I have kept a lot of cuttings and I was once described as a ‘midfield terrier’ but I think I’ve slowed down a bit now!”

Great for Pembrokeshire

There is talk of a Welsh Ladies’ National League which Debbie believes would be great for Pembrokeshire since there are seven teams in the West Wales League and now nine football clubs in the county which have girls’ teams so the potential is certainly there.
Debbie is currently senior ladies’ coach at Newcastle Emlyn and working towards her ‘B’ Grade licence.
“I need to get my assessment done,” she says, “ and I am going to complete it as soon as I can find time in my schedule!” And do you know what? She will too because she is one determined lady with a drive and energy which is clear for all to see – and Sport Pembrokeshire did really well to recruit such a committed lady to serve Pembrokeshire Football so well!