Alicia Powe | Swansea City Ladies relishing title defence
Captain Alicia Powe says Swansea City Ladies are relishing the challenge of defending their Welsh Premier Women’s League title as they prepare to begin their season against Cardiff City on Sunday.
The historic match will be the first Welsh top-flight game to be broadcast live, with S4C showing the game on their Sgorio show from 3.50pm ahead of the 4pm kick-off.
The Swans are the benchmark for the rest of the division after enjoying a superb unbeaten campaign last season, which saw them seal the title when the season was curtailed in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic.
It has made for a long wait for football for Ian Owen’s side, who have not played a competitive game in over six months.
And Powe – who has played for the Swans Ladies for more than 15 years after joining from Llanelli and her team cannot wait to get going.
“It has been a long time and we are really excited,” she said.
Captain Alicia Powe says Swansea City Ladies are relishing the challenge of defending their Welsh Premier Women’s League title as they prepare to begin their season against Cardiff City on Sunday.
The historic match will be the first Welsh top-flight game to be broadcast live, with S4C showing the game on their Sgorio show from 3.50pm ahead of the 4pm kick-off.
The Swans are the benchmark for the rest of the division after enjoying a superb unbeaten campaign last season, which saw them seal the title when the league was curtailed in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic.
It has made for a long wait for football for Ian Owen’s side, who have not played a competitive game in over six months.
And Powe – who has played for the Swans Ladies for more than 15 years after joining from Llanelli - and her team cannot wait to get going.
“It has been a long time and we are really excited to play again,” she said.
“Pre-season has gone well, there is a good vibe within the squad.
“We have a mix of our long-standing players and new signings bringing new talent and energy to the team.
“It has given us a confidence boost winning the league last season, but we are focused on the new season now and the challenges ahead.
Swansea City Ladies also have a Champions League campaign to look forward to as a result of last season’s title success, and they will discover their preliminary round opponents on October 22.
It is an experience Powe has enjoyed before, and the scale of the achievement of Swansea’s presence among Europe’s elite is underlined by the fact they are an amateur side.
Powe and her team-mates combine their football with full-time jobs, training twice a week and playing on a Sunday.
The skipper is a staff nurse at Morriston Hospital, working on a surgical ward which specialises in Maxillofacial and ear, nose and throat surgeries.
On the frontline against the Covid-19 pandemic she has worked closely within a multi-disciplinary team to ensure patients in need receive safe and effective care.
“Work have been supportive, my colleagues are understanding and are willing to swap shifts so I can play most Sundays,” she says.
“At times it can be hard for all of us to juggle everything, but it's worth it once we step on that pitch.”
Sgorio host Nicky John and pitchside reporter Sioned Dafydd will be joined by former Wales international Nia Jones and Penybont FC Head of Coaching Nia Davies for live coverage of Sunday's game.
Former Wales striker Gwennan Harries and Dylan Ebenezer will be in the commentary box, with ex-Wales full-back Kath Morgan and Mike Davies providing English commentary via the red button. S4C’s coverage starts at 3.50pm, with kick off at 4pm.
