TAYLOR MAKES SWIFT STRIDES
AFTER a lifetime of relentless lengths in the pool, Georgia Taylor wanted more than solo pursuits – and found rugby league.
And she’s taken to her new sport like a duck to water having made big strides on dry land.
Taylor, 28, helped York Valkyrie win the Women’s Super League for the first time last season and also made a try-scoring international debut for Wales.
A flying winger, the PE teacher’s just as pacy on the pitch as she was in the pool.
York begin their new season with a Challenge Cup tie at Sheffield on Sunday.
And Taylor, who didn’t ditch swimming (inset) until the age of 23, can’t wait to crack on.
She said: “I swam all my life but I just wanted something different.
“My family all swam and it’s pushed through the family. I competed at county level but never really had a love for it.
“I’m more of a team player. One of my best friends plays for York and I went down with her for a training session.
“We weren’t even winning then but I loved playing and seeing how much challenge I could put on myself.
“I’ve stuck with it, grown with the club and the opportunities that have come with it, like being selected for Wales, have been amazing.
“I didn’t even realise the level I was going into. I just thought it was a local rugby team!
“My dad did ask me if I’d realised I was going into Super League?
“Now I do! We play on the TV and I never thought that would ever happen when I went down to that first training session.” St Helens have joined Valkyrie, Leeds and Wigan in paying their players match fees this term as the competition becomes increasingly professional. Bridlington-born Taylor reckons her side can get even stronger, adding: “We’ve another job to do to remain champions and hopefully go win the treble as well.”
■ LEEDS winger Derrell Olpherts has transferred to Wakefield until the end of the season.