Sophie Messem
- Sports Coach
- Richmond, UK
Personal Summary
Passionate and dedicated sports coach with over 15 years experience coaching rugby and other sports across all levels and a variety of ages and abilities. As an avid and committed sportswoman, I understand the demands of high-level competition and I am passionate about empowering the next generation of female rugby players. As a strong advocate for women's and girls' sport, I am deeply committed to supporting the growth of girls rugby and contributing to the development of talent within the women's game. I am confident planning and delivering technical and tactical sessions, fostering teamwork and through motivational leadership, creating inclusive, high-performance environments to nurture potential.
Work Experience
Women’s Section Lead (previously Marketing and Communications Manager)
- Building a strategy and delivery of a development plan to grow the women’s section, including 1st team performance, community outreach and youth pathway
- Seeking new partnerships and investments to aid the growth and development of the women’s section
- Forging and maintaining relationships with stakeholders including partners, sponsors and governing bodies
- Marketing, promotion, activation and event planning
- Team management, administration, logistics and gameday
- Social media, digital, email, editorial and OOH marketing
Current Coaching Roles:
Scottish Rugby SQ (2024–Present) SQ Coach
- Delivering coaching sessions as part of the coaching team at U18 and U20 Girls Scottish Qualified training camps, inline with programme aims and SRU values
- Plan and lead sessions on positional specific tactical and technical skills for backs
- Talent ID and player specific feedback, focusing on technical, tactical, and physical development
Richmond Rugby (2022–Present) Youth Girls Coach (U14, U16 & U18), Women’s 1st XV Player-Coach
- Planning and delivering technical and tactical training sessions for both junior and senior players
- Working with other club coaches including session plans, player feedback and team selection
- Actively contributing as part of the Senior Leadership Team to promote club-wide excellence
- Mentoring youth players and fostering a player pathway for youth girls to senior women’s rugby
Additional Coaching Experience:
- London Irish ARFC - (2019-2021) Youth Girls and Minis Coach
Old Georgian’s HC - (2018-2021) OG Dragons Youth Coach, Back2Hockey Adults Coach - Falcon Flyerz - (2020-2021) Hockey Coach, Disability inclusive hockey for all ages
- Rugbytots - (2015-2016) Lead Coach
- Activate Sport (2015-2016) Multi Activity Sports Coach
- University of Exeter (2014) Student Tennis Coach
- Surrey Youth Games (2013) Assistant Tennis Coach/Team Manager
- Weybridge Tennis Academy (2009-2012) Assistant Tennis Coach