Sophie Messem

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.

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

Coaching Qualifications

• UK Coaching - FOCUS Coaching Programme (2024-Present)
• RFL Leadership and Performance Programme - Female Coach Development (2023-24)
• England Rugby Coaching Award (2022–23)
• RFU CPD: Rugby Ready; Scrum Factory; Play it Safe; Principles of the Lineout;
• RFU eLearning: Headcase Concussion Awareness; TackleSafe; Introduction to Safeguarding
• YMCA Access Sport Ignite Disability Inclusion Training (2021)
• LTA Tennis Coaching Level 1 (2014)
• England Hockey Leadership Award and Foundation Umpire (2009)

Education

• Central Film School (2017–2018) Filmmaking
• University of Exeter (2013–2016) BA (Honours) Drama 2:1
• St George’s College, Weybridge (1999–2013) A-Levels: A, A, B | I/GCSEs: 10 A*-A

Accolades and Leadership Roles

• Richmond RFC Women: Senior Leadership Team (2022–Present)
• London Irish Ladies: Club Captain (2020–21), 1st XV Team Captain (2019–20)
• University of Exeter: Women’s 1st XV Rugby Team (2014–16), Social Secretary (2015–16)