Happy birthday Rebekah Hansen!

Rebekah Hansen has always been a pretty good footballer, but nowadays she is best known for helping develop the talent of others.

She is one of the driving forces behind NFA, the Rhyl-based football club formed three years ago.

The club describes itself as: “a new progressive training initiative set up in 2018 with the purpose of setting the foundation for youth football.”

NFA have girls teams from ages under-6 to under-19, plus a women’s side which competes in the North Wales League.

There is also a boys development centre for under-9 to under-14’s, boys teams from under-9 to under-15 and a men’s side playing in North Wales Coast East Division One.

Today’s is Rebekah’s birthday and Grassroots North Wales wishes her all the happiness in the world.

Mum-of-two Rebekah is part of another very special team, being the fiancee of Cefn Druids manager and former Rhyl and Flint Town United boss Niall McGuinness. The couple have two lovely sons, Lucas and Arthur.

Despite being a busy mum, Rebekah still manages to develop ample time to her beloved football.

A former player with Rhyl and Prestatyn Ladies, who entered the Welsh Premier in 2014/15, Rebekah scored in the team’s only national league success over Llandudno, a 3-2 win on November 9, 2014.

A quick and tricky player, despite her small stature she never lacked bite in the tackle.

So how did Rebekah’s coaching skills develop?

After finishing a college course in sports development, coaching and fitness, she left the UK to work in New Jersey, USA. She worked for a company called ATSC for six and nine-month spells.

On returning home she was offered a job with Rhyl FC. Her task was to develop girls football in the area and in her time at Belle Vue she set up 5 girls teams.

Rebekah left Rhyl FC in 2018 and formed NFA, which in such a short time has thrived, now having 6 girls teams, a boys development centre, 5 grassroots boys teams, and a women’s and men’s senior side.

Recently they linked with Achieve More Training, creating opportunities in the local community to expand their education.

Hoping she has a fantastic day today – happy birthday Rebekah.