A WOMEN’S football volunteer from Risca has been recognised by being named as a finalist in the Wales Sport Awards.

Kat Lovett has been volunteering with various girls’ football clubs for more than eight years including Treowen Stars, Caerphilly Academy, Pontllanfraith Dragons and many more from across Caerphilly county borough.

The 25-year-old now lives in Cardiff but is still heavily involved in the Gwent Girls’ Football Development Centre, supporting promising girls and young women and girls active and healthy lives through playing sport.

She said: “I started playing a lot of different sports from a young age. I showed an interest in football, so my dad was keen to get me involved and supported me in everything that I did. Now that I volunteer as a coach, I love to see the enjoyment on the players' faces during a session. It is great to see the players' progress and find a love for football.”

While football was previously thought of as a male dominated sport, Ms Lovett believes progress is being made in encouraging girls to get involved.

“Great progress has been made in women's football over the past 10 years,” she added. “There are a lot of role models for young players to look up to and there is a lot more that players can now achieve.

“Football is no longer a male only sport; there are so many football clubs, performance centres and academies available for female players now, which is great to see.

“Sport can help you in every aspect of your life, so I’d tell anyone interested in trying a new sport, try to push yourself and enjoy every second.”

Dave Poole, Caerphilly council’s cabinet member for Community and Leisure Service, said: “Kat should be very proud of herself for this national recognition of her dedication to female football. Her hard work with community clubs across the county borough assist us here at the council with one of our main priorities of improving awareness, access, variety and use of leisure, community and sporting facilities.”

The Wales Sport Awards will this year bring together the Sport Wales Coach of the Year awards and BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality of the Year awards into one big sporting showcase for Wales.

The Awards ceremony will take place on Monday, December 9.