Prince William Advocates for Female Athletes While in Wales: 'He Cares Passionately About Women's Sport'

The Prince of Wales took part in a campaign to ensure that Welsh women's rugby players received recognition for their efforts on the pitch

Prince William spent part of his trip to Wales advocating for women in sports.

On Sept. 10, the Prince of Wales, 42, paid a visit to Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli, the home of the Scarlets Rugby Union team. While there, William — who is patron of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) — met with members of the current Wales female international team who have recently qualified for the 2025 World Cup, and also handed out caps and brooches in support of the WRU's "Missing Caps" campaign.

WRU, the governing body of the sport, launched the campaign in 2021 to help find players who have been "capped" by the Wales women's team during their games, from the first women's international match in 1987 to present day.

Records from the era prior to the women's game being fully incorporated into the WRU are incomplete, with many players' names missing. The "Missing Caps" campaign aims to ensure that all players who represented Wales in the past receive their place in Welsh rugby history, and there are 27 women who still haven't received honors for their efforts — something Prince William is on a mission to help change.

Related: Prince William Steps Out Solo in Wales After Kate Middleton Announces End of Cancer Treatment

“It was incredible. The fact that he personally wanted to do this to help raise the profile to help us find the last 27 caps is just amazing," Abi Tierney, chief executive of the WRU, tells PEOPLE. "He was telling the women how much he cares passionately about women’s sport. He was talking so openly about the challenges of playing what is quite a physical sport.”

She adds of those he met that, “He put them all at ease. Hopefully, he’s raised the profile and we’ll find those last ones who we can’t find. We’re down to the last few!”

Tierney says Prince William's involvement will help other young people “when they see somebody of his influence caring," she says. "He said, ‘Can I ask you how they support you as women?’ We’ve done lots of research into how the menstrual cycle affects women’s ability to play and how hormones can change your muscle, and he was talking to them about that. Oh my goodness, the prince cares about that.”

“And he was asking if they used the same size balls because you’ve got smaller hands? They were saying the under 18s and under 20s are playing with a smaller one," Tierney adds. "There is a difference between it being the same and equitable, and he was really passionate about how you adapt the game so girls can be attracted into it. He’s really interested in raising the profile through the Rugby World Cup next year.”

Smiling, Tierney says, “You never know, [Princess] Charlotte might end up playing!”

Related: Prince William Gives Update on Kate Middleton's Health: 'Good News' but 'Still a Long Way to Go'

His visit came a day after he and wife Princess Kate, 42, appeared in a highly personal video to announce the princess’s chemotherapy was over.

A few of the players told William “how pleased they were that Catherine had finished her treatment, and he was very grateful for that,” Tierney adds. 

After handing out brooches and caps, he posed for selfies with some of the players after the presentation. One former player, Suzy Glavin, 56, played for Wales in the World Cup in 1991. “It’s lovely that he’s come," she tells PEOPLE. "He is really down to earth. He understands it's putting right a wrong. He said ‘I’m sorry it took us so long.’ And that means a lot.”

She adds William taking a leading part in the campaign and highlighting what’s gone before was “inspirational for young girls coming through and playing. I’m from Cardiff, and the Prince of Wales feathers [on the rugby shirt] meant so much. And to meet him in this environment is wonderful.”

Glavin, who is head of sport at Leeds University, praised William for coming just one day after the news about Kate.

“He’s so very genuine. He’s a family [man] who loves his children, you can see. His wife is incredibly strong and a role model herself — they both kept the fire burning in their support for the Olympics. I get the sense he recognizes the power of sport. It was very kind of him to give up his time, and I thanked him for doing so.”

The Prince and Princess of Wales are avid sports fans involved in many causes related to athletics in their royal work. On Aug. 11, the couple appeared in a video clip to show continued support of Team Great Britain's efforts at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

"From all of us watching at home, congratulations to Team GB!" Kate said. William added, 'Well done on all you've achieved. You've been an inspiration to us all."

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In addition to his stop at Parc y Scarlets, Prince William also visited Swiss Valley Community Primary School and Air Ambulance's Llanelli headquarters while in Wales.

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