Coach, teacher, pioneer

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Tailor also took on the role of grassroots mentor, helping aspiring coaches who were just starting out on their career journey. “I’d work with each mentee to determine what drives and motivates them and to find their goal or ‘north star’,” she says. “That’s something I’ve always been able to draw on myself when things get tough.”

It was wearing this particular hat that she found herself at a Kick it Out Raise Your Game event alongside fellow mentor and QPR technical director Chris Ramsey. Middlesex Girls Centre of Excellence was set to close and, seeing how keen she was to continue her coaching journey, Ramsey invited her to take charge of QPR’s U9s on a voluntary basis. After several months, this evolved into a part-time role.

“Chris respects transparency and honesty, and he has a background in primary education, so there was a synergy there between his experience and my own,” says Tailor. “I valued any opportunity to learn, so it was fantastic that he allowed me to come in and volunteer, to develop as a coach and to better understand the workings of the football club.” 

“Working on Rachel Yankey’s schools programme gave me valuable experience – I had to learn to be highly adaptable and to solve problems quickly”

Tailor adds that when mentoring her Ramsey took the same strengths-based approach as he does his players. “He’d speak about my strengths and how these might be enhanced,” she says, “as well as ways to plug any gaps in knowledge and skills that might prevent me from moving forward.” 

While Tailor was working part-time at QPR, Ramsey also encouraged her to apply for a place on the Premier League’s Elite Coach Apprenticeship Scheme, which, if accepted, would enable her to be employed full-time. Having successfully completed the scheme, she was then appointed as QPR’s lead foundation-phase coach, with the additional responsibility of assisting in youth development. 

It was, she says, just the boost she needed. “Simply being in the building full-time accelerated my learning and development as a coach and strategic leader.” 

Ally and mentor

Now assistant head of academy coaching, Tailor works closely with Chris, who she describes as “a transformational leader, who truly believes football is for everyone and has a way of unearthing and developing talent in players and others.” 

Finding an ally, like Chris, who will support your growth and development is invaluable, she says. “This was especially valuable for me as an Asian woman trying to break into an industry that isn’t perceived traditionally as being a career option.” 

In her role, Tailor assists Chris in the overall running of the coaching department, as well as with coach and player development, coaching the U9s through to the development squad. Doing that effectively, she says, relies on a working relationship founded on trust, loyalty and accountability, and a mutual appreciation of the complementary skills they bring to the table. But she’s also learned how important it is to understand exactly what Chris needs from her and how she can best support him. 

“Learning from Chris’ approach to leadership has enabled me to explore what effective leadership means to me, and to understand the importance of resilience and of being able to adapt to new circumstances and limitations,” says Tailor. “With Chris’ support, I’ve done a lot of work on areas such as recovering from setbacks and adaptability, staying optimistic and mission-oriented, responding instead of simply reacting, and demonstrating the art of listening and being open to new ideas.”

Relate and empower

While Tailor’s coaching philosophy and methodology continues to be shaped by her experience and learning at QPR, it is deeply rooted in her background in education. Indeed, she believes her core teaching skillset is highly transferable to football coaching.

“My experience of coaching five year olds right through to adults has taught me the importance of understanding how players learn and then adapting your approach to suit their needs,” she says. “Knowledge and understanding of football alone is not enough. What’s fundamental is being able to relate it to the players, especially if learning and practice is to be purposeful, where the players know not just what they are learning, but also the why and how are they are going to get there.” 

That means connecting with the players and getting to know them as people, she says. “You have to cultivate positive relationships in order to get the best out of people, to develop a deep-rooted mutual understanding with them and a sense of trust. That, in turn, helps the players feel empowered and motivated to persevere on their journey, knowing that you are genuine and that you care.” 

Tailor also asks her players to take ownership of their learning, encouraging them to self-reflect using methods such as video analysis and journaling, and supporting them as they work on their resilience.

“I want to develop players who are mentally versatile as well as technically rounded, who are able to persevere, no matter how challenging the task becomes,” she says. 

“Creating an environment that allows players to try things without fear of the outcome is key to developing resilient and adaptable learners.” 

A proactive influencer

Tailor has taken risks, made sacrifices and worked incredibly hard to carve out a career in an industry that has not traditionally embraced minority groups. She also considers herself fortunate to have landed at a club that she says is at the forefront of diversity and inclusion. 

“At QPR we pride ourselves on our three Rs - respect, responsibility and resilience - and ensure that these standards are upheld by all involved at the club. Respect, for me, means taking into account everyone’s differences,” she says. 

“It means that everyone is afforded an opportunity to succeed, without bias or judgement. Importantly,” she adds, “the club is supportive of me being proactive in using my position and voice in a positive way, to promote fairness and equal opportunities in the game as a whole.” 

Tailor has found various ways to do that, deepening her knowledge of the industry today while helping to shape the industry of the future. She is on the LCA Advisory Group and the LMA Diploma, and recently completed the PL Academy Leaders programme, signposted by QPR’s academy director Alex Carroll. She has even found time to write a book – ‘Dream Like Me: South Asian Football Trailblazers’, encouraging children’s big ambitions. 

“Based on the powerful stories of 42 pioneering individuals working in all parts of the game, it shows what they can achieve with a growth mindset, hard work, determination and support,” she says.

This season, as well as her role at QPR, Tailor will become an assistant U15s coach to the Young England Lionesses as part of the Elite England Coach Programme, another important step towards her dream of coaching on a senior or international stage.

“I believe that if we’re to achieve a better, more diverse, game it’s important that we use our voices, platforms and networks to drive change,” she says. “Being part of the LCA, for example, opens the door to more conversations around important issues and, more importantly, possible solutions and outcomes. The LMA Diploma, meanwhile, allows me to continue my education, learning from experts as well as others on the programme. After all, the more advanced my knowledge and expertise are, the better placed I will be to help influence the game in years to come.” 

“Creating an environment that allows players to try things without fear of the outcome is key to developing resilient and adaptable learners”