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]
Returning to the U.S. in 2018, she was appointed as Division 1 side Dallas Harlequins' new director of rugby [7] 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.[8]
References
- ^ Kidd, Patrick. "Manchester rely on woman's touch to stem tide of crushing defeats".
- ^ "Fylde line-up at Manchester". Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
- ^ "A Little bit of history is on the way". The Herald. 5 September 2013. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
- ^ "Google Translate".
- ^ "New Director of Rugby - Griffins Rugby". Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
- ^ "Sevens up for Shiel and Vassie".
- ^ "Dallas Harlequins Name Elaine Vassie Director of Rugby". 17 August 2018.
- ^ "Elaine Vassie Named First Female Assistant GM in MLR History".