Cambrian United Women’s are thrilled to welcome Claire O’Sullivan to the squad ahead of the new season.
O’Sullivan, 54, is a former Wales Senior International, recognised for her captaincy and the numerous appearances she made for Wales. Transitioning into coaching, she has served as Head of the Women’s Academy at Coleg y Cymoedd since 2015, earning a first-class reputation and a proven track record.
Chatting on the sidelines during a preseason friendly, O’Sullivan’s warmth, humour, and assertiveness shine through – even as it’s clear she means business.
Reflecting on her journey in football, she describes herself as “a proud Welsh girl from the Valleys.” Her first goal for Wales secured the team’s first-ever win against Scotland, a milestone she still cherishes.
Speaking proudly about her career, O’Sullivan highlights the people who shaped her both on and off the pitch. As a player, Wales manager Sian Williams gave her the opportunity to captain the national team and showed immense faith in her leadership, while Karl Lingam, Wales assistant and her club manager at the time, was also pivotal. Early teammates Wendy Reilly and Helen Edwards were hugely influential as she began her football journey. On the coaching side, Jayne Ludlow has been the most significant influence on her career to date.
Describing this new opportunity as “a chance I couldn’t turn down,” O’Sullivan says it is the club’s passion and commitment that excites her most. Set to both inspire and challenge, she explains that her style is “to do the basics well,” with the team expecting repeated drills and practices “to help understand the what and the why.”
Following a chaotic start to preseason, her appointment brings reassurance to an exciting new chapter for the team. O’Sullivan states, “It will take time, but I am confident that success will come to these players, who thoroughly deserve this opportunity.”
On welcoming O’Sullivan as the new manager, team secretary Jody Pugh shares her excitement:
“After a turbulent start to pre-season, we’re thrilled to welcome Claire as our new manager. With her expertise, passion, and leadership, we’re confident she will bring stability, vision, and success to the team. Claire joins us with an impressive track record as a former Wales international player and captain, demonstrating both her leadership and deep knowledge of the game. Her experience guiding teams in the Adran Premier League will be a huge asset to our squad. Let’s rally behind her and show her what we can achieve together!”
Joshua Evans, Head of Operations, says he is expecting great things from O’Sullivan joining the club:
“We are delighted to have Claire O’Sullivan at Cambrian. It’s a huge milestone, not just for the club, but also for Rhondda Cynon Taff. This is going to make a difference, not only for young girls of Cambrian, but for young girls in the whole county. It’s a huge moment, and we’re delighted to get the right person to lead this team, not just for this year, but for the future. With the aim to take us into the Welsh Premier League, with the likes of Cardiff, Swansea, Wrexham. Who knows – one day, Claire could be the person to take us into Europe.”
Words and images by Sarah Jayne Smith
