LIVERPOOL, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur; the FAW Wales Women Under 17s squad is littered with players from big-name Premier league clubs. However, one club in particular stands out; Ammanford AFC. Little Ammanford have two representatives in the Under 17s squad, and one of them, Nia Rees, has achieved great things during the past 12 months, writes Nick Davies.

Since making her first Under 15 squad for the national side in January 2015, Rees, who plies her trade at the Recreational Ground with Ammanford Girls, has appeared for Wales Under 15s, 16s and 17s. Her development in the last year has been nothing short of outstanding.

Starting her career with Ammanford, the tricky winger had never considered playing for her country until just this year. Other than playing for Swansea Girls, the youngster’s skills have been confined only to the Amman Valley.

But after the dream was initially cut short, when Rees was mistakenly not given a letter to announce her selection for the squad, her rise to prominence has been rapid.

Rees said: “It’s all happened so fast, this time last year I was playing for West Wales and the regional team so it didn’t come into my mind that I could play for Wales the year after.”

In January, Rees travelled to Scotland for a development tournament. She made her début against Republic of Ireland, living the dream she had always harboured. She then featured in games against England, Scotland and Northern Ireland; against whom they picked up their first win.

Her impressive performances led to a call up for Wales Girls Under 16s, with whom she travelled to the Faroe Islands. An experience far contrasting from life with Ammanford.

“It was quite nuts” said the youngster.

“It’s the weirdest place ever. It was snowing when we were playing, we’ve never done that before.”

However, the weather didn’t hinder the forward’s performances, as she started two of the three games as the Young Dragons beat the host nation, then Republic of Ireland, before falling to Iceland.

Her performances didn’t go unnoticed as she was called up to the Wales Girls Under 17s squad, where they faced Northern Ireland, Faroe Islands and Kazakhstan.

Despite failing to qualify for the European Championships, the Ysgol Dyffryn Aman pupil can take many positives from the experience. Her first goal for her country - against Kazakhstan - being one of them. It was a moment she will be replaying in her mind for a long time yet.

Rees’ achievement are not confined to the football field however, and she picked up a Wales Girls Under 15 cricket cap earlier this summer to add to her list of honours.

She has lofty ambitions for the future.

“I want to get into the 17s again this year, and after that the 19s,” she said.

“I’d love to be in the senior Wales team obviously. But, we’ll just have to see really.”

At just 15 years old, Rees is clearly one for the future, but if her present is anything to go by, that future may way come around far more quickly than anyone might expect.