Gwalia United Women’s Football Club might not be a household name yet, but with big ambitions and a big plan, having players like Lampeter’s Casi Gregson and Blaenrhondda’s Cori Williams-Mills means it’s surely only a matter of time.

The club is creating a big buzz in Welsh women’s football, and these two are right at the heart of it. Both have fascinating stories: Casi is balancing her studies with her football ambitions, while Cori’s footballing story combines a wealth of experience as both a coach at Swansea City’s academy and a successful property developer with Bespoke Sourcing.

Together, they’re aiming to help to put Gwalia United—and Welsh women’s football—on the map.

Having just celebrated her seventeenth birthday with a two-goal brace against Swindon Town and helping Gwalia progress to the next round of the FA Cup, Casi Gregson is slowly becoming a standout player at Gwalia United as well as being a student at Coleg y Cymoedd.

Balancing college work with a love for football, she is one of the younger talents to watch in the Welsh women’s game.

Coming from the FAW’s Academy System, she is one of a collection of young starlets through that system that are shining in Gwalia colours.

“It’s a lot to juggle,” Casi admits, “but playing for Gwalia makes it all worth it. The team feels like family.”

Gregson is a big believer that studying and playing football can go hand-in-hand, setting an example for other young girls in Wales who might be unsure if they can commit to both.

Gwalia have a partnership with Coleg y Cymoedd where both institutions dovetail academic progression with footballing talent development under the watchful guidance of individuals such as Alun Davies and Kath Morgan, themselves powerhouses in the Welsh sporting landscape with Morgan having played for Wales herself and Davies an integral part of talent development in rugby, with names such as Leigh Halfpenny and Marcus Smith on his CV.

Both would testify to just how powerful young talent can be when given a platform.

While Gregson balances her studies with a growing football career, her teammate and mentor, Cori Williams-Mills, is juggling a very different scenario: guiding Casi’s development, fully aware that she may eventually take her own place on the team.

A former Wales striker, Williams-Mills brings a wealth of experience to Gwalia United. A coach at Swansea City academy, she is also focusing on nurturing talent in-house, with the likes of Keira O’Keefe and Gregson at the forefront.

“Casi’s got the passion and potential to go far,” says Williams-Mills.

“It’s about giving her the tools to reach that next level.”

Gwalia United has ambitious goals, and as it continues to grow, Williams-Mills is looking ahead to ensure a solid foundation with players like Gregson who can carry the torch.

Yet, by helping Gregson climb the ranks, Williams-Mills faces the reality that her young protégé might someday step into her own spot on the team.

“In a way, it’s bittersweet,” she reflects. “I want to see her succeed—even if it means she takes over my role.”

It’s a testament to Williams-Mills’ dedication that she’s willing to foster this next generation, preparing Gwalia United to compete at higher levels while actively paving the way for her own potential successor.

For Gregson, it’s the ultimate opportunity to learn from a seasoned player with a career in both football and coaching.

Casi and Cori, while in different stages of their careers, share the same goal: growing the women’s game in Wales.

Gwalia United has become an important space for female players to build their skills, connect with a community, and find opportunities that weren’t always readily available in women’s football.

Gwalia – formerly Cardiff City Ladies FC, have been the historical hotbed of talent development in Wales with everyone from Jess Fishlock, Gwennan Harries and Sophie Ingle as former players.

No less than 10 players in the current national team under Rhian Wilkinson’s guidance come from within their ranks.

“Gwalia isn’t just a football club; it’s a community. It’s about finding a place for every player to grow,” Cori explains.

They’re part of a movement that’s shaking up the landscape and making Welsh women’s football a more visible, inclusive space. From Casi’s determination as a young student-athlete to Cori’s balancing act between coaching and business, both are proving that Welsh women’s football is on the rise, and the best is yet to come.

These two aren’t just players and coaches—they’re trailblazers, role models, and inspirations for a new generation of Welsh athletes. With Gwalia United providing a platform, we can expect to see many more success stories like theirs in the years to come.

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