Cardiff School of Sport graduate and Wales captain, Sophie Ingle, will face Barcelona as she takes to the pitch for Chelsea FC in this weekend’s Champions League final.
With a degree in Sports Development and Coaching, Ingle represented the university throughout her studies, helping Cardiff Met Women’s FC secure two BUCS victories during her time at the club.
Chelsea Women now look to extend their fantastic run of results by becoming European champions for the first time in the league’s history when they play against the formidable Barcelona. Having already added the Community Shield, League Cup and Women’s Super League titles to their trophy cabinet, the Blues will be under no illusions as to the quality of the Barca team having seen them beat domestic rivals Manchester City earlier on in the competition.
Having played for Wales at Under-17 and Under-19 level, Ingle won her first senior cap in 2009 and has since gone on to captain the national team. Ingle played her early Women’s Premier League football at Cardiff City Ladies where she won the Welsh Cup and is looking to use that Cup experience on Sunday.
Senior Lecturer and Sophie’s former coach, Dr Kelly Harris, said: “Sophie’s passion for football is unrivalled and I’m delighted to see her succeeding in a game we both love. She epitomises the dual career athlete, demonstrating high standards in everything she does.
“She is a role model for young girls everywhere, committed to her team no matter the shirt she’s wearing – and I’ll be cheering her on from home this weekend. Go Sophie. Go Chelsea!”
The game, played at the Gamla Ullevi in Gothenburg, Sweden on Sunday 16 May, will see both teams bidding for the trophy, with neither having previously won the converted prize.
