Elaine Vassie

Last updated

Elaine Vassie
Date of birth (1981-10-10) 10 October 1981 (age 43)
Place of birth Paisley, Scotland
Occupation(s)Director of Rugby / Coach / General Manager
Rugby union career
Coaching career
YearsTeam
2009–2012 Manchester Rugby Club
2012 DAK Mantova
2013–2015 Griffins Rugby
2016 Scotland Women 7's
2018-2020 Dallas Harlequins
2019-2022 Dallas Jackals
2024 - present Colgate University

Elaine Vassie (born 10 October 1981 in Paisley, Scotland) is a professional rugby union coach. She is the assistant general manager and attack coach of Major League Rugby side Dallas Jackals.

Vassie caught the headlines in 2009, taking over then National League 1 side Manchester Rugby Club in a role that had been labelled "arguably the hardest job in rugby". [1] [2] Aged just 28, no other female had or has since held such a position at National League level. [3] Following her 3-year spell at Manchester Rugby Club, Vassie linked up with Italian side, DAK Mantova combining a coaching and club development position. [4] In October 2013, it was announced that she was to become Director of Rugby of American side Griffins Rugby, the first person in such a role in the club's history. [5]

In 2016, Vassie was announced as coach of Scotland Women's 7's team ahead of their upcoming European Championships. [6] The squad secured Bronze medal position in the European Trophy Competition [7]

Returning to the U.S. in 2018, she was appointed as Division 1 side Dallas Harlequins' new director of rugby [8] and Men's Head Coach.

Subsequently, in June 2020 Vassie was announced as attack coach and assistant general manager for the new Major League Rugby franchise Dallas Jackals, the first female AGM appointment in the league's history. [9] Elaine was subsequently promoted to General Manager, the first female GM in MLR history. [10]

A change in ownership saw Vassie, fellow Coach Aaron Jarvis, Analyst Darren Lewis, and President Scott Sonju depart in 2022. [11]

Vassie was announced as Director of Rugby/Head Coach at Colgate University in summer 2024. [12]

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References

  1. ↑ Kidd, Patrick. "Manchester rely on woman's touch to stem tide of crushing defeats".
  2. ↑ "Fylde line-up at Manchester". Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  3. ↑ "A Little bit of history is on the way". The Herald . 5 September 2013. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
  4. ↑ "Google Translate".
  5. ↑ "New Director of Rugby - Griffins Rugby". Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  6. ↑ "Sevens up for Shiel and Vassie".
  7. ↑ "Bronze for Scotland Women In Rugby Europe Trophy".
  8. ↑ "Dallas Harlequins Name Elaine Vassie Director of Rugby". 17 August 2018.
  9. ↑ "Elaine Vassie Named First Female Assistant GM in MLR History".
  10. ↑ "Dallas Jackals Name Elaine Vassie".
  11. ↑ "Dallas Jackals Part Ways With GM Elaine Vassie".
  12. ↑ "colgate Rugby has a new leader at the helm".
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