Nia Jones hopes to help Swansea City Women return to the Women’s Champions League after joining them following her exit from Netball Super League side Cardiff Dragons.
The 32-year-old defender has openly expressed her disappointment at the manner of her departure from Wales’ leading netball team.
But she is now focused on rekindling a football career which previously brought international honours before going on to play netball for Wales.
“We know there is that precious prize of the Champions League at the end of the season and qualification for that,” said Jones.
“We’ve been really open about the fact that if we have to put that [conditioning] work in now if we want to win the league.”
“It’s been a few years since Swansea City have been involved [in the Champions League] and I’m really passionate about helping us get there.”
Jones would also “never say never” to a Wales recall.
“If anybody anywhere wants to call me up for anything, if it’s for Wales, I’ll do my best,” she added.
“But the Welsh football game has moved on a lot since I was playing and you know, you’ve got girls playing at the highest level as full-time pros.”
Swansea open their campaign at Cardiff Met on Sunday, 15 September following a pre-season in which Jones has had to adjust from the fitness demands of netball to football, albeit having also played for Pontypridd United Women at the tail end of last season.
“Training has been tough. Netball is a tough sport and we have to be super fit, but it’s been another level, honestly, at Swansea,” Jones added.
“They’ve really put an emphasis on our conditioning and our intensity and obviously many of the girls are in full-time work, as am I for the first time pretty much ever, so that’s been a bit of a transition for me.”
Jones has also recently been working in the media and is ready to accept scrutiny of her own exploits on the pitch.
She said: “I have got the dynamic of a little bit of punditry work on the side and I have got a little bit comfy in my knitted jumpers, giving it out about other people’s football performances. Now I have got to put my money where my mouth is. I am open to scrutiny on that.”
