Yzzy Taylor | Opportunity to join Swansea was too good to turn down
Yzzy Taylor admitted the opportunity to join Swansea City Women was simply too good to turn down after been named as Jamie Sherwood’s assistant, and is excited by the club’s commitment to growing the women’s game in Wales.
The 30-year-old – who is part of the Wales Under-19s’ coaching staff – previously spent 11 years with Cardiff Met as a player and a coach, securing six Genero Adran Premier titles, three Welsh Cups and four Adran Trophies.
Taylor jumped at the chance to link up with Sherwood, who became first-team manager at the Swans earlier this summer having previously guided Yeovil Town to the Women’s Super League, and is eager to get down to work with him, and revealed her long-held respect for her new club.
“It’s an opportunity that I couldn’t say no to,” said Taylor.
“When Jamie [Sherwood] got in touch with me and told me about his aims and objectives for the season, I think it was something that aligned with what I wanted to achieve.
“I’ve known Jamie for a long time, but this is my first chance to work with him. What he brings to the game in terms of his enthusiasm, his experience, and his knowledge is second to none, so I’m constantly learning from him.
“I want to bring that experience, but also be challenged, have fresh ideas, and look to see what we can achieve.
“I want to continue the legacy that Swansea City has. As a club that I have played against and managed against, it’s always one that I’ve been quite fearful of, in terms of their culture and what they bring to the game in Wales.
“I think it’s something the club should be really proud of and hopefully one that we can be a part of now moving forward.”
Taylor joins the Swans just shy of a year on from their move to semi-professional status, and she has been thoroughly impressed by the facilities and the set-up she has found in SA1, as well as the club’s desire to create a clear pathway for players in south-west Wales and beyond.
“The professionalism from the club is underpinning everything, you can see that from the second you walk into the training facility,” she said.
“The culture, the professionalism, it’s what is expected from you as a Swansea City coach or player, you can see the players want to push the club in the right way, want to develop the game within Wales and the female game.
“It makes me feel really proud to see clubs like Swansea getting behind the women’s game in Wales.
“The Genero Adran Premier League is growing, not just the club within it but the whole game in Wales, there are still plenty of steps to take, but this where I want to be and I’m glad to be back.
“We are here to compete, we are here to do the best that we can, and the best we can is to win trophies this year, so that’s our main target and hopefully that will be one that we achieve.”
Having left her role with Cardiff Met at the conclusion of the 2022-23 season, after winning the Adran Trophy in her final game.
Taylor has relished her role within the Wales set-up at age-grade level, but admits she is excited to be returning to senior level.
“I’ve had a little time out away from the senior game and it’s something that has been a positive experience for me,” said Taylor.
“I was really lucky to work with the players I did last season, but I really missed the senior game.
“I’ve worked with players from under-10s all the way to 45 years of age. I’m still young in my coaching journey, although it seems like I’ve been here a while, I’m still learning consistently, and I don’t want that to ever stop.”