Wales Women’s manager Gemma Grainger has confirmed four backroom appointments ahead of a June training camp.
All 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 and Richard Thomas are each appointed as an Assistant Coach, Dykes is currently undertaking her UEFA A licence coaching qualification and will be joining the FAW on a full time basis, while 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 joins as Goalkeeper Coach, the UEFA A license holder has worked in the women’s game at Everton, Manchester City, Liverpool and across England’s youth teams since 2013. Outside of the senior team, she will also oversee goalkeeper development across the pathway.
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.
Grainger told faw.cymru: “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.”
