Grainger confirms coaching staff
Cymru manager Gemma Grainger has confirmed her backroom staff as preparations ramp up for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign.
International Challenge Match
Cymru v Scotland
- Tuesday 15 June (KO TBC)
- Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli
The four appointments have been announced ahead of Cymru’s June camp, where Grainger’s side will take on Scotland at Parc y Scarlets on Tuesday 15 June. Each of the appointments were involved in last month’s matches against Canada and Denmark, and are part of the FAW’s commitment to increase resources and support for the National Women’s Team in order to reach a major tournament for the first time in the side’s history.
Loren Dykes – Assistant Coach
Cymru fans will be well aware of Loren Dykes, as the national side’s second centurion with 105 caps to her name. Dykes was assistant coach at Bristol City for the 2020/21 season and is currently undertaking her UEFA A licence coaching qualification.
As well as becoming an Assistant Coach for the senior side, Dykes will be joining the FAW on a full time basis, combining the role alongside working with the U17s national squad and overseeing the performance squad programme.
Richard Thomas – Assistant Coach
Richard Thomas joins alongside Loren Dykes as an Assistant Coach for the national team. Thomas spent the last two years in the men’s game as the academy manager at Watford FC and was formerly an assistant coach at Notts County.
Jen Herst – Goalkeeper Coach
Jen Herst joins as a Goalkeeper Coach, and outside of the senior team Jen will oversee goalkeeper development across the pathway.
A UEFA A license goalkeeper coach, Herst comes with a wealth of experience in the elite female game having worked at Everton, Manchester City, Liverpool and across England’s youth teams since 2013.
Luke Taylor – Head of Physical Performance
Luke Taylor joins the FAW as Head of Physical Performance for the national women’s teams. Taylor is a lecturer in sport and coaching sciences at Oxford Brookes University and has worked with the England women’s youth teams since 2013, who have reached several major age grade tournaments.
I’m very excited to finalise and announce our new staff structure. The staff are key to the success of any team and I’m confident that we have the best people that will continue the progress of our national team. We had a successful camp in April where all of the staff settled into their roles instantly and I’m looking forward to see their work develop further in the Cymru setup.
