UKAF women head to Netherlands as they aim to keep hold of President's Cup

The UKAF women's football team are travelling to Spakenberg in the Netherlands to try to retain the President's Cup against their Dutch counterparts. 

They've been training at the Wolves Football Academy at Compton, enjoying the Premier League Club's world-class facilities.

Team manager and head Coach Sergeant Karl Milgate knows all about the Dutch style of play, but that's not his top priority.

• 2 Para win Army Inter Units Boxing title after fiery Forces Fight Night in Aldershot
• Regimental pride and explosive action at 1PWRR intercompany Forces Fight Night in Cyprus
• Royal Marine Kyle Shaw-Tullin wins bronze at Feliks Stamm World Boxing Cup in Poland

Sgt Milgate said the team have to focus on themselves because "the Netherlands always play in a certain way".

"It's is literally the Dutch way. Unless they spring a surprise. Which they haven't done in the years that I've been working against them," he explained.

"We need to understand our own strengths and what their weaknesses are and how we can try and hurt them."

A year ago after several narrow defeats the UKAF team won the Cup, a compressive 3-0 win at Sporting Khalsa and there's enough experience in the side to cope with the tricky away fixture in the Netherlands. 

"We're always confident and when we set out to, win," Lance Corporal Courtney Jones said. 

"But the Dutch are a very good side and we're not going to take them for granted. And we know their strengths and weaknesses and it'll be a very good fixture to play in."

Among three newcomers in the squad is reservist Leading Royal Navy Nurse Emily Wise, who plays for Dunfermline Athletic.  

She said it would be an honour to put on the UKAF shirt and play an international. 

Helping to lead the training is Nathan Maxfield, the Wolves Performance Coach and Sports scientist, who's enjoyed a hugely successful season alongside RAF and Wolves women's first team coach Dan Macca McNamara.

He said he was delighted to be helping the UKAF women get in the best possible shape for their biggest match of the season.

The players as a group went through a tough couple of years, losing on penalties twice before winning it back.

"This group are hungry to go and retain it. There's nothing better than retaining the trophy on foreign soil. And to come back with it as their own. No doubt they can do that," he said.