New Australia Women's Sevens coach Reg Tayler is ready for his chance to lead the side into the future and an elusive Olympic medal for the current generation.
Tayler officially took over from Tim Walsh on Monday, appointed head coach through the 2018 Los Angeles Olympics.
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The process has been several years in the making, ever since Tayler returned home to Australia as an assistant.
Walsh, who steps into the newly created position of Director of Women’s High Performance, had a hands-off role throughout the 2025-26 SVNS World Series, often watching from the stands as Tayler directed the team on the field.
It leaves the former Australia A coach primed for his opportunity to take the team to the next level.
“Really honoured to be stepping into the role, really excited about it. Just looking forward to continuing the good platform that we have and towards the LA Olympics," Tayler said to Rugby.com.au
“I think we're in a really good position with a good squad to go and put our best foot forward.”
Tayler has worked his way through the pathways alongside the core of the Sevens program.
He started with the Queensland Academy of Sport, first coaching the likes of skipper Bella Nasser and Kaitlin Shave.
A stint with Ireland followed, before returning to the Australian program to learn under Walsh.
“I think I coached Bella when she was 13 so using her as an example to see her go through the pathway, Queensland, Australia A, into the Australian squad, and now being the captain has been a really amazing honour," Tayler noted.
“Most of them I have had some coaching contact through Australia A and we've got some really good talent in the squad, so looking forward to watching them and helping them progress as they go along.
“I learn a lot through the pathway. You get your grounding on how you coach, and then going to Ireland gave me a really good perspective on a different style of play and being able to bring those subtleties back into the Australian system as well has been a really good eye-opener.
“I am fortunate enough to work under Tim for a long time and have him as my mentor, so can't thank him enough and obviously for the work that he's done for the Australian program.”
Walsh was happy to hand over the reins to Tayler as he looks to get the best of the two programs.
“'Reggie' has done a massive apprenticeship. I think that's going to put him in good stead to lead this team to an Olympic podium and have absolute full confidence in his ability, having witnessed it over the last period," Walsh believes.
“I think it's the perfect storm for him to be able to utilise his own expertise and also utilise the people around him.”
The big challenge for Tayler will be the 2028 Olympics as the Aussies look to put past disappointments behind them.
They have not medalled since the gold in Rio in 2016, with quarter-final and semi-final defeats in 2020 and 2024 the lone blemishes within a decade of dominance for the program.
“There's obviously always areas in your game that you have to improve on. The game changes all the time, so we've matured a lot this year," he added.
“I think for us it's just continuing to work on those little finer details and then just working together as a squad to make sure that we've got the depth and the energy and motivation to continue to succeed.”
