The 67-times capped back-rower got down to work this week after becoming the first female regional academy skills coach. The role, which encompasses working with both the male and female prospects from the region, is the first of its kind in Wales.
The North Wales pathway has produced the likes of George North, James King, Olly Cracknell, Afon Bagshaw and Rhun Williams for the male game in recent years along with Wales Women internationals including the likes of Jess Kavanagh and Gwenllian Pyrs. Taylor is hoping to continue and increase that production line in future years.
“It’s brand new, it’s exciting and it’s challenging,” said Taylor.
“RGC as a team have created something from a blank sheet themselves and that’s the position I’m in now with this brand new skills role putting the male and female players in the best position for Welsh selection.
“We’re big up here in North Wales on creating the right culture and the right learning environment for young players to develop and catch up with other rugby programmes across the world.
“There are massive times ahead and hopefully a bit of my playing experience and experience within my previous WRU roles, along with coaching Colwyn Bay will put me in a good place.”
Taylor will work closely with new RGC head coach Matt Silva, who also has an academy skills role, academy manager Josh Leach and regional manager Marc Roberts as she helps young players along the pathway to hopefully achieve international representative honours.
“We have flexibility and the ability to try different stuff up at RGC, and it’s nice to have this chance to pilot something new,” said Taylor.
“It will be a learning curve but that’s what you want. It’s the best of both worlds, I get to learn from an existing male programme that’s working in developing players for Welsh rugby and it would be nice to think we can do the same with the women’s programme.
“We also want to create a pathway for more female coaches and female referees to come through too.”
Taylor is hoping the new role will help as she prepares to coach the Crawshay’s and Barbarians women’s sides in the autumn.
“I can’t wait for the Crawshays and the Barbarians, I’ve already taken on board a few new drills and techniques to put into practice,” she added. “Free flowing rugby is very much the style at RGC and hopefully I can take it into the Crawshay’s and Barbarians. It’s another great opportunity to learn and hopefully I can have an impact too.”
Looking ahead, coaching is where Taylor’s ambitions lie at the moment.
“I’m thrilled this is an out-and-out coaching role and I’ve loved my first week. I’m in a privileged position to get to do this, but I’ve got a lot of support around me, not just in this region but across Wales and the world. I certainly don’t see my changing career pathway for the forseeable future.”
Taylor is currently preparing RGC Women for the regional championship which kicks off on Saturday at Llandarcy, RGC facing Ospreys at 3pm following Scarlets v Blues at 12 noon.
“It’s refreshing to see so much young female talent coming through and pushing our senior regional players. We seem to be in a good place and looking forward to kicking things off on the weekend before coming home for a home game against Cardiff Blues at Rhyl the following Sunday.”
Taylor is pleased to see another woman take up a role developing rugby in North Wales with the news that Jess Kavanagh will replace Dave Roberts as Game Changer and Dave Roberts moving to Taylor’s former Rugby Coordinator role.
“Dave has done a great job in creating a platform for women and girls in North Wales and now Jess will be the perfect role model to get even more girls into the game. It’s an exciting reshuffle and hopefully we can bring the best of our old roles into our new roles.
“It’s a great region to work in, I don’t think I would have acheived so much in another region.”
