Football star Rachel Hignett earns her first full Welsh cap (From Penarth Times)

Football star Rachel Hignett earns her first full Welsh cap

4:40pm Thursday 17th January 2013 in News

LLANDOUGH footballing star Rachel Hignett earned her first full senior Welsh cap on Tuesday (January 15).

The 17-year-old came on as a late substitute in the womens side's impressive 3-0 victory over Greece in Athens (match report: www.faw.org.uk/news/FAW90079.ink ).

Former St Cyres pupil Rachel has already earned more than 30 age group caps, having captained the U17s last season and been a regular in the U19 squad for two seasons - but this was her first call-up to the full senior squad.

Rachel started her football career playing in the Dinas Powys FC mini section at the age of seven, and into the girls team at 11, before leaving to sign for Bristol Academy WFC four seasons ago.

She progressed through the Centre of Excellence age groups, captaining the U17s team last season. She was voted Player of the Season for Bristol Academy CoE, and also the Vale of Glamorgan junior female Sports Personality of 2012.

She is currently studying for A-levels at college in Bristol where she trains daily for the Academy Reserve team playing in the FA Premier Reserve League. Bristol Academy is one of only eight semi-professional women’s teams in the English Women’s Super League, competing with the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea.

Rachel is now looking forward to representing Wales U19s when they host the UEFA Womens U19 Finals in August. This will be the first time Wales has hosted the finals of a major UEFA tournament, and will be an opportunity for Wales to compete with the elite of European football.

For more information go to www.faw.org.uk/news/FAW89965.ink