Helen Ward is a player who is not just synonymous with Watford, but someone who has become intrinsic to her national side Wales, too.
The supremely gifted goalscorer has enjoyed an extensive and successful international career spanning nearly 14 years, notching 44 goals in the process and becoming the top scorer for the Welsh national team.
Recently (April 8), Watford’s captain surpassed another milestone as she reached a century of appearances for Wales when she came on as a late substitute in the narrow 2-1 defeat to France in Llanelli.
Looking back on her journey to reach this distinguished landmark, Ward explained how much she relishes playing for her country.
“It’s hard to sum up my enjoyment with Wales, to be honest,” said Ward. “Making my debut in 2008 seems like a long time ago, but it feels like it’s all I’ve ever known even though I was relatively late to the international scene. I think I was 22 by the time I made my debut.
“It feels like I’ve been here [with Wales] since I was a kid. It means everything to me to pull on the badge and represent my country. I’ve made friends for life in doing so and there is a good group of us who have been through the whole journey together, and hopefully there is plenty more to come.”
Ward is adamant that the comradery and attachment within the Welsh dressing room is hugely important to the success enjoyed by her and the team, not just off the pitch, but during the matches.
Ward explained: “That [togetherness] is massive. You don’t get to spend loads of time with each other because you get five or six camps a year, and you have to make the most of those times.
“I think because a lot of us have grown up and been in it together for so long, it does help that once you have come back, everything is the same. There is that familiarity and togetherness which separates us from other nations. It’s a genuine family feel, and I think you see similarities with the men’s team as well.
“Wales is a small country, and we have a smaller pool of people to pick from, and I think that helps because it brings us together and makes you fight that little bit harder. It’s a special group, and one that I really enjoy being a part of.”
Recalling her favourite memories with Wales, Ward is spoilt for choice. The 35-year-old is the current holder of many impressive records including the most goals scored in a single Wales national team match, when she hit the net six times in a 15-0 victory over Azerbaijan in 2010.
However, one of the forward’s stand-out moments was her debut against Luxembourg two years earlier, when she notched the first of her many strikes.
“It’s hard to pick out a single moment,” Ward said. “Obviously, you look at your debut which was a big moment. I scored which I think helped as a number nine. Goals are what you’re measured on so that was important for me.
“We stayed in a tiny little hotel, and I didn’t know any different because it was my first experience going away with the national team. Going into the dressing room and seeing the shirts hung up and knowing I was going to put that number nine on - it was great.
“I think we went 1-0 down which wasn’t supposed to happen. Thankfully I got the equaliser, and it just went from there. As soon as the ball hit the back of the net, I believed that I could do it on the international stage.
“I just grew in confidence from there. It wasn’t the most glamourous of locations, but it’s one where I can still picture the pitch and the changing rooms. It will live long in the memory.”
Alongside her first cap, Ward has enjoyed a plethora of other famous moments in Wales’ illustrious red strip, including when she became the country’s top scorer by netting in a 1-1 draw with Slovakia in 2013.
Despite earning the crown by surpassing Ian Rush’s record of 28 goals, Ward remains focused on team achievements rather than individual merits.
“It’s something that I look back on fondly, more so than I appreciated at the time,” Ward continued. “I didn’t actually know when the record was so there was no sort of fan fair, but I think that sums us up as a group.
“We were doing it for the group goal, it wasn’t about me breaking the record. I didn’t know about it and I don’t expect my teammates to know it either, and that’s the way I like it.
“On a personal note, it is amazing to hold that record. I know a certain Gareth Bale is creeping up on that record, scoring some worldies to get himself back in the picture, but it’s a nice thing to have done. It’s something I am very proud of, but I think perhaps once my career has finished and I look back, it’ll be something that means even more.”
Now an experienced head in the Wales squad, Ward plays a huge role in embedding younger talent into the side. One new member is club teammate Morgan Rogers, who joined the Golden Girls in the January transfer window on a dual-sign agreement from Tottenham Hotspur.
The young defender is highly rated, and Ward is looking forward to watching Rogers’ (pictured right, below) development and progress with Wales.
“It’s brilliant and it’s one of the best things about being an older player,” said Ward. “It’s almost like watching yourself come back through but enjoying it more because you know what exciting things they’ve got to come.
“Morgan is doing great, and she has been superb since joining in January. She just fits in really well. She’s confident without being arrogant, she gets on with everything, and always has a smile on her face.
“It’s exciting watching her career go from strength to strength, both at Wales and back home in Watford.”
Photos: FA Wales, AW Images
