Female Football Focus – Saskia Wynne-Thomas (CPD Y Rhyl 1879)

Saskia Wynne-Thomas on the ball. Photo: LEE PAUL DOUGLAS

Saskia Wynne-Thomas was a key member of the CPD Y Rhyl 1879 defence which conceded just 13 goals in 18 matches while winning the North Wales Women’s League title as an unbeaten side.

Grassroots North Wales caught up with this tremendously talented 22-year-old for a post-season interview.

Full Name

Saskia Wynne-Thomas

Date of Birth

14/10/1999

Occupation

Dental Nurse

Teams you have played for

Rhyl Hearts, Kinmel Bay, Prestatyn U16’s, Prestatyn Ladies, Denbigh and Rhyl 1879

Position

Right Back

Most memorable game played in

There’s been too many to think of🤣 One was playing down in South Wales with Prestatyn Ladies. We knew it was going to be a very hard game but we went down with high spirits… played on a very small pitch and although we did lose we never gave up and put in 110%. We came away with a lot of bruises and injuries after that game.

Biggest highlight of football career so far

Definitely becoming the unbeaten champions of the league this year with Rhyl 1879.

Representative football

I represented North Wales in a tournament when I was younger.

Strengths to your game

Being able to adjust to playing on the right and left side

Weaknesses

Probably my confidence or being too quiet on the pitch🤣

Best team-mate played alongside

I’ve played alongside some amazing players, some of which I currently play with now… but Emily Luke is the best team-mate I’ve played alongside and is one of my closest friends, We had a good understanding of how one another played and always covered one another.

Hardest opponent faced

Hardest opponent this year was either Pwllheli or Amlwch.

Biggest influence in football

Kyle Walker

Funniest team-mate

Saskia and The Duke

That’s a hard one to pick🤣 Alicia Duke and Steph Farley

Favourite away ground

I don’t really have a favourite away ground if I’m being honest, but if I had to pick it’d be the Prestatyn pitch

Other sports you enjoy

The only sport I really enjoy is football🤣

How does it feel to be a North Wales Women’s League championship winner

Saskia (close to the champagne bottle) gets a congratulatory hug

To win the league unbeaten, and to have only conceded 13 goals all season is surreal. And to have done it with a team that gets on so well and has formed an amazing bond together makes it 10X better. Not only have we become the unbeaten league champions but so have the Rhyl 1879 men which says a lot about how great the club is!!

What has been the secret behind Rhyl 1879’s defence being so watertight

That’s definitely our best kept secret that I can’t give away🤣

Do you feel Rhyl 1879 can be a force in Tier 2 next season

We know that next season will be a lot harder than this one, but I feel like we have a very good chance. We aren’t a team that gives up easily and always work hard for one another and put in 100% every game.
We have formed an amazing bond and continue to support one another on and off the pitch. I feel like we as a team are going to go from strength to strength!!