BRONANT teenager Erin Jones has earned a place in the Wales Under-16 squad after a football journey that began in the playground of Ysgol Rhos Helyg.

The 14-year-old first developed her love of the game by kicking a ball around with her cousins before joining local club Tregaron Turfs, where she played under the guidance of Steven Davies, Lindsey Wilkins and Karen Bullman. With a squad made up predominantly of girls, Erin flourished.

Her progress led to a trial with Aberystwyth Girls Under-10s, but she was selected instead for the club's boys' academy side. Under coach Christopher Roberts, Erin continued her development as a defender, facing teams from across North and South Wales.

A turning point came during a tournament in Cardiff, where she caught the eye of an FAW scout. A successful trial at Colliers Park, near Wrexham, followed, which eventually earned her a place in the FAW North programme

Since then, Erin has trained and played regularly against top opposition, including teams representing Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal, as well as playing at Wolves' Molineux Stadium.

Earlier this year she attended a Wales Under-16 training camp before travelling to Spain to face Levante and Villarreal. In September, Erin achieved another milestone when she earned her first Wales cap in a 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland in Belfast.