New Cymru WU17 head coach Natalie Lawrence says she’s relishing the chance to help develop the next generation of Welsh women footballers.
Lawrence brings a wealth of international experience to the role, having coached in New Zealand, Canada, and the UK across both club and national team environments.
Her appointment marks a significant step for the FAW as it continues to strengthen its women’s player pathway—and for Lawrence, it’s a challenge she’s embracing with energy and ambition.
“It feels amazing,” she said. “Being able to get a full-time role in international football, and especially at an association like Wales, with all the excitement around women’s football at the moment, is pretty amazing. I can’t wait to really get started.”
Lawrence returns to Wales following a successful season with Lewes Women FC where she was widely praised for her player-focused approach and tactical insight. When the opportunity to apply for the Cymru role presented itself, she says it was one she couldn’t pass up.
“Lewes was a really great club to work for. I learned a lot and felt really supported,” she explained.
“I’ve always kept a keen eye on Wales. I studied at the University of South Wales, and I’ve met a lot of people through football who have worked or currently work here.
“It’s always been somewhere I’ve been really intrigued by and would have loved to work at during my career. So when the opportunity came to put my name in the hat for this job, it was a bit of a no-brainer.”
Lawrence’s coaching credentials go beyond the pitch. Her academic background, particularly in sports science and psychology, has been key in shaping a well-rounded coaching philosophy—one that carefully balances research, theory, and practical learning.
“It’s been massive. It added something completely different,” she added. “You learn a lot on the coaching licenses, but bringing in research—understanding how and why you do things on the field—takes it further.
“I learned a lot about the psychology of the game, how to periodise effectively, and how to tailor approaches for youth versus senior players. The course I did felt like the perfect fit at the time in my development. It’s given me new ways of looking at football, beyond just the 90-minute sessions on the field.”
This combination of education and experience is something Lawrence hopes will benefit Cymru’s U17 players not only in their development now but in the long-term as they step closer to senior and professional environments.
“I’ve been really lucky with the places I’ve worked. My path has given me opportunities in both youth and senior football, at club and international level,” she admitted. “I’ve worked with some amazing people and had chances to explore best practices—what youth players need.
“Having gone through the age groups and experienced senior football at professional and international level, I’ve gained insight into what’s required to succeed at the top. I can now bring that into the youth space, which I think is crucial for this role.
“Hopefully I can help give players the tools they need to transition successfully through the age groups into senior and professional environments.”
Lawrence’s international résumé also includes major tournaments such as the FIFA Women’s World Cup and Olympic Games with New Zealand. She believes those experiences are invaluable when it comes to understanding how to prepare players for elite competition.
“Massive lessons,” she said. “When you’re in camp, you’re in a focused environment with access to players for long periods. But that doesn’t mean you can work them 24 hours a day.
“I learned how to simplify the game and use time effectively. You don’t have the in-between contact that you would in club football, so it’s about making an impact during camp without overloading players—or yourself—so they can retain and apply what they learn.
“Being at major tournaments gave me knowledge of what it takes to qualify and compete, and how to install a winning culture—something I want to bring into the youth teams.”
Lawrence joins the FAW at a pivotal moment, as Cymru continues to build on strong performances and grow its footprint at all levels of the game.
With her first Cymru camp shortly around the corner, Lawrence is already focused on embedding her philosophy with players and staff.
“Hopefully, we play the exciting football that the Welsh Way encourages,” she said. “In the short term, it’s about getting to know the players and staff as quickly as possible. We want to play exciting, attacking football. We don’t want to just defend—but when we do defend, we want to be really hard to beat.”
“And when we play teams we should be beating, we want to win, and believe in our ability on the ball to do that. That belief is massive for me as a coach.
“Short term, it’s about getting results on the field—getting into League A and staying there. Longer term, it’s about developing more players for the U19s and the senior team.”
