Female Football Focus 2021: Niomi Taylor (CPD Y Rhyl 1879)

Niomi Taylor is a classic centre-forward – tall, skillful, great at holding up the ball, pacy and a brilliant finisher.

She has always scored goals wherever she has played and made the scoresheet for her latest team, CPD Y Rhyl 1879, last weekend.

It is always nice to meet/communicate with players for the Female Focus features as you get to know a little about the person and their football background, as well as what they are achieving nowadays.

Niomi has been a pleasure to deal with and is a credit to her club. Many thanks, too, to Tom Jamieson of 1879 for helping arrange some current photographs.

Full name

Niomi Taylor

Place of birth

Bodelwyddan

Date of birth

20/8/1998

Height

5ft 11

How did you become interested in football?

My dad is a massive fan of football so I was brought up around it and it then became a big interest of mine too.

How long have you been playing football?

I started playing for my first girls team when I was around 11

Name all the teams you have played for

Prestatyn Girls, Kinmel Bay Ladies, Rhyl Ladies, CPD Y Rhyl 1879 Ladies

Have you always played in the position you play now?

I think I have always played in the same position as a centre forward and that’s definitely the position I feel most comfortable in.

What is your training schedule like? Do you practice every day?

I train with Rhyl on a Tuesday evening and play games with them on a Sunday. I don’t practice every day because of work and other things, but I try and make sure I go to every training session.

If you are not playing football or not working, what do you do in your spare time?

I enjoy watching football on TV or any kind of crime dramas and if I’m not doing that I enjoy going on walks and hikes with the family.

Do you like shopping? What are your favourite stores?

If I was to shop for something it would probably be online from either Asos, JD or Nike.

Which female footballer do you admire most?

I’ve watched Marta Silva play a few times for Brazil and she’s technically so good on the ball and strong and scores some amazing goals, so if I know Brazil are playing I would always turn it on to watch her.

Away from football, what female sportswoman/women do you admire?

I watch a lot of different sports on and for me Serena Williams is one of the best women’s athletes.

Which coach has influenced you the most?

All the coaches with the teams I have played for have helped me develop in some way.

Do you practice a certain diet while you are training or during the football season?

I don’t have any certain diet plan that I stick to but try to make healthy meals when I can.

How have you found life at CPD Y Rhyl 1879 so far?

I’m really enjoying it, the training sessions are well thought out and fun and the girls are a good laugh and have made me feel very welcome.

What are your feelings on the women’s football pyramid changes in Wales? Are you in favour of an elite Tier 2 North?

I don’t really know much about it, I’m just focusing on working hard and playing football for my team at the moment.

Tell us about the greatest game you’ve played in

Probably playing a game for North Wales v South Wales where I scored 4 goals.

What’s your finest achievement to date as a footballer?

Travelling abroad with the Wales squad when I was 14/15 and making an appearance.

Tell us about your favourite all-time kit you have worn

Probably the Wales kit that I wore when I went away, I still have the shirt.

What are your musical tastes?

I listen to rap music and some dance music.

Do you watch TV soaps? If so, who is your favourite character?

I only watch Coronation Street and if I had to pick one, it would probably be Tracy Barlow.

Do you have any plans for a holiday?

I would love to go on a Caribbean cruise and hopefully will plan one soon.

Do you have any pets?

We have a Yorkshire terrier called Sammy.

What is your dream job?

My dream job would have been to be a professional footballer.

What do you hope to achieve in future as a footballer?

I hope that our team Rhyl Ladies FC will win the league and be promoted into the higher league and just keep improving myself as a player.