The 73-times capped international is after-sales manager at family-run Gwyndaf Evans Motors and admits that motherhood has brought out her soft side.
“It’s been harder to juggle everything that I thought it would be and I haven’t gone back to coaching full-time yet but I feel I’m ready to become more involved again now.
“I coached throughout my pregnancy including the full pre-season programme last summer. I stopped three weeks before Tiaan was born and initially thought I would get straight back to it.
“I think I under-estimated the impact having a baby would make on my life – especially the emotional side of things. I’ve never been a softie but I am now! Rugby used to come first but now family does unquestionably. Tiaan’s birth has definitely changed my perspective.
“We’re very lucky to have more women at the top of the game now like Liza Burgess. She invited me to be part of the Crawshay’s coaching team which I’ve very grateful for – that was an amazing few days. It was a great experience for all involved who have given so much to Welsh women’s club rugby – they were treated as semi-professional players for the duration of the camp. She has also invited me to be part of the Exiles programme so I’m looking forward to that when rugby starts up again.
“I haven’t felt ready to go back to committing full-time to the weekly training sessions and matches involved in coaching Dolgellau until now but I’m just about ready to be more involved again. It’s very much a family club so there’s lots of banter with the players asking when I’ll be back but I think I needed some time away from the game, especially after transitioning straight from playing to coaching.
“I’ve also been training with the intention of playing some summer sevens tournaments – purely while the weather is good though! So we’ll see what happens when rugby starts again but I definitely want to progress as a coach. I’ve done my level 2 and I’m in touch about starting my level 3.”
