NRL veteran Ash Taylor takes up first coaching gig in Toowoomba

A former NRL star has returned home and he’s now got the job to help steer a struggling footy club to success. Read what his plans are for the club.

LEAGUE: Coaching was always the plan for Ash Taylor however the 27-year-old however never intended to be a coach so soon.

A chronic hip injury bought an abrupt end to Taylor’s 116-game NRL career earlier this year and now he’s looking to bring the strategy and skill that made him a $1m a year man to the Newtown Lions.

The former Toowoomba Brothers has taken the reins at his former rival club – ready for the challenge of ending their 36-game winless streak across the TRL men’s Reserve and A-grade competitions.

“It’s really exciting. I’m really looking forward to helping the club rebuild,” Taylor said.

“The uncertainty of Newtown’s future has played on my mind a lot especially for a club that has been around for so long.

“I just want to stabilise that (future) and hopefully bring some success to the club.”

Taylor has been a regular at Newtown games this season – watching his sister Kiara play in the women’s team and helping mentor some of the club’s younger players.

Having settled back into Toowoomba, working for Darling Downs Health and raising his two children alongside partner Montana, the decision to take up coaching was relatively easy for Taylor.

New Newtown Lions coach Ash Taylor talks football with club president Janet Suey.

“It’s been an easy transition,” Taylor said.

“I know everyone, I know where everything is and I just want to get my family settled here.

“When this opportunity to help a struggling club jumped up I thought why not.

“There is a lot capability around the team and the club.

“They just haven’t had great direction and that’s what I’m hoping to do is lead the team in a better direction.

“I see a lot of talent they just need to gel a lot better and obviously if we add a few stars I’m sure they’ll give every team next year a decent crack.”

Newtown president Janet Suey said a number of high calibre coaches applied for the position but Taylor was a standout.

“It’s a very exciting time for the club,” she said.

“This year, just our second back in the TRL, hasn’t been easy, but the spirit and commitment of our players has never changed.

“As a club we have a vision and a plan for the future, and we believe Ashley can help us achieve that plan.

“He’s a great young man, and the help he has already given us has had a positive effect, and we think he’ll be a great coach.

“We know it won’t be easy, Rome wasn’t built in a day, but with his NRL experience and his knowledge of the game we think he’s the right choice.”