'I used to work in a prison, now I'm playing at the Women's Euros for my country'

Women's Euros wildcard Wales have produced another surprise after qualifying for their first major tournament - as it emerged that one of their players used to work in a prison. In a remarkable move from an apprentice business administrator at HMP Swansea, Rachel Rowe, will now be part of the team making their historic debut at the tournament.

Speaking about her journey, the 32-year-old said: "I had multiple jobs. I came out of college and had to work. I worked in B&M, then went to the prison service.

"There are different generations in our group who have had different experiences. There are those who go to college and become full-time footballers from that.

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"My journey was completely different, but it's moulded me into the person I am today." Rowe was working for the Welsh government at the 16-year-old nick in Swansea Bay when she had the chance to go semi-pro with Reading. Three times a week, she would drive the 300-mile round trip from Swansea to Berkshire after a full day's work.

Crashing into bed after midnight, the dedicated player told how she'd wake up still in her football kit ready to do it all over again. "I did it for a year and I was exhausted," she says. "Fortunately, we won the league which meant we went up to the WSL." Before her full-time deal came, Rowe considered giving up on her footballing ambitions.

But the professional contract was life-changing, even if the salary was nothing compared to top-flight men's players. She said: "It's been 10 years since [turning fully professional] which really seems strange. "It's been a decade and now this happens and we're at the Euros.

"When we arrived here and saw the bus with all the Euros logos on it, it hit home. "It was a case of gulp it down and don't get too teary because it really did feel real." When they play their first match against the Netherlands on Saturday, Rowe admits it will be hard not to cry.

"I think every game is going to be like that because it's such a precious moment for us all to be part of," she says. "But that doesn't mean we're not going to be composed. "It hasn't been easy getting to this position. You stand on the shoulders of many people who put in a lot of effort for two or three decades to get us to this position – and we bring them with us.

"We're building towards Saturday, keeping this nerves at bay. We'd be doing ourselves an injustice if we come here, feel all of the pressure and not enjoy being here."