Team Talk: Sienna Strapp (Connah’s Quay Nomads)

Just over a year ago Sienna Strapp from Hawarden signed for Connah’s Quay Nomads from Northop Hall.

The versatile youngster is now developing into one of the biggest talents in the tier 2 Genero Adran North League.

She spoke to Grassroots North Wales….

How do you feel the season has started for Connah’s Quay Nomads women?

I feel we have come into this season very, very strong.

With the recruitment over pre-season and even now we are bringing in experienced players which is adding great depth to our team.

So far winning 8/10 games with only a draw and one loss is really showing our strength and starting off on such positives, I hope this can carry on for the rest of the season.

Are you still involved with the under-19’s? How are they performing this season?

Yes, I’m currently captaining our u19s squad which is a strong side with technicality, strength and athleticism.

Being a new team we are still finding our footing, however these girls all have big futures ahead. Our under-19s are the type of players that don’t stop for 90 minutes and give their all.

Luckily we have women’s players to play alongside us in the games, using their experience to help the girls with decision-making and linking up play, allowing them to get the most out of their game.

It is just over a year since you joined Nomads. How would you sum up the past 12 months?

It’s been great, I’ve been surrounded by players with experience that are happy to help not only me, but players joining the squad to develop.

Also having the help from experienced qualified coaches allows me to get the most of my training sessions.

A huge improvement can be seen within my game. I’m becoming a lot more technically better allowing me to carry the ball and my fitness has improved massively.

It was a huge step moving clubs mid-season last year, however it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Tell us a little about your football background. What age did you start playing and which teams have you represented up to women’s football?

I started playing football around the age of 13/14 through my high school football team.

Before the school team I had never thought football was an option for me. I was a swimmer. While playing with the school team I had made the decision to join Northop Hall Girls and Ladies team as a couple of the other girls played there.

I was there though U16s and then into the start of a U19s team which unfortunately didn’t do as well as we hoped in the league.

While playing for the u19s I was also playing for the women’s team at the club allowing me to gain experience in tougher games.

Then in November of 2021 I made the decision to move on to Nomads women, which has got me where I am today, playing in the fast paced women’s games along with our U19s games.

I have also recently had the opportunity to represent Wales in the Welsh Colleges squad against England down in Cardiff.

It was an amazing experience in itself with highly skilled and technically talented players from across colleges in Wales.

Have you played any representative football?

I represented Wales in the Welsh Colleges squad against England.

The final score was 2-2. The aim is to hopefully go to the international tournament in Rome in February.

What are your immediate football ambitions and do you have any long-term ones?

My aim is to complete my degree in America on a football scholarship. hopefully for the full 4 years and through this I want to gain as much experience as possible, and to then come home and be able to either return to Nomads or join a professional club.