My trip to Doha was the best experience of my life and almost 3 years on, I truly believe it was the start of something new for me. Attending the Generation Amazing Youth Festival at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar was a life-changing experience, one that has profoundly shaped my career and future aspirations. When I was given the opportunity by Shaun Harvey I felt like the luckiest person alive. Having the chance to travel to Doha at 17 years old to represent my town and country at the GA Youth Festival was one of the proudest moments of my life. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity and it certainly didn’t disappoint!
Before travelling to Doha, I always had a burning passion for football and success, but this experience took my aspirations to a whole new level. The festival brought together young aspiring leaders from different backgrounds all around the world and I learnt so much from my time and experiences in Qatar. Being able to engage with so many inspiring people and participating in all the workshops and having loads of panels by different sports stars and business people really opened my eyes to what the future could hold if you really want to achieve something. It was so inspiring.
I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and if you want something it won't just be handed to you on a plate, you have to work for everything you want to achieve. I try to take that mentality with me every day in everything I do. It is one of the reasons why I juggle so many things, but I really don't think I would be in the position to do all those things today if it wasn't for my experience with GA.
As of today, I work for Airbus, who are the largest aeronautics and space company in Europe. Whilst studying to get my business degree I am also working full time within the company, it’s an amazing opportunity and being exposed to all areas of the business will only help me grow and develop further as my career progresses. It’s very difficult to find an apprenticeship in the sports industry which offers as many opportunities as Airbus does. So when I was offered this job, there was no way I was turning it down!
Although my main role and day to day job isn't in the football industry, I am still heavily involved with it. I am a Youth Council member for the Football Association of Wales and my role as a YC member is to represent the voices of young people in Wales and advise on policy and the development of football in Wales. During my time in Doha, I met the President of the FAW, he informed me of the Youth Council and said it would be a brilliant opportunity for me if I was successful in the application. So, this position I’m in, again, wouldn't have been possible without my trip to Doha. As well as this I am also part of the NEWFA (North East Wales Football Association) Council. Being surrounded with a network of so many people who are so great at what they do is such a good thing for me. I’m so passionate about football and I have a massive drive and desire of working in a position of power one day within the industry, and all the opportunities and roles that I’m currently involved in will only help me try to achieve this dream.
All the stuff off the pitch that I do comes from my underlying passion of on the pitch and playing. I now play for Connah's Quay Nomads FC and I have been there since the summer. It is a great set up with a great bunch of girls and staff and I think that has shown in the way we have played and developed this season. Our new sponsors are Bank of America who are obviously a massive company, so this is a big step for the Women's section at the club and hopefully we can work together to create something special within the women's section.
It’s fair to say that I wouldn’t be where I am today without the experiences I had with Generation Amazing, it was the springboard to all the opportunities I have had and without it I certainly wouldn't be where I am today. I will always be so thankful to Shaun and everyone at GA for allowing me the opportunity to be part of such an amazing experience in Doha. It’s one I won't ever forget, and certainly one that I wish I could do again!
