Li Nam Yan Melody Blessing hopes to develop the next generation of women’s rugby players in Hong Kong, by sharing the knowledge she gained as captain of her country.
Having represented Hong Kong in both formats of the sport, a gold medal in Sevens at the 2023 Asian Games, in Hangzhou, was the crowning achievement of her playing career.
She has now taken her first steps as a coach, working with a high school team, and will broaden her coaching education as Hong Kong’s first participant at the Gallagher High Performance Academy.
“I hope that the programme will improve my coaching, and that I will learn from other coaches, as well as more about performance coaching,” Melody told World Rugby.
“I started coaching because I wanted to introduce rugby to others, and this programme is important as it provides the opportunity for female coaches to further improve their high performance coaching skills, and also to showcase their abilities to take up these roles.
“Programmes like this help female coaches exchange ideas and gives them the opportunity to improve.”
Melody’s own coaching ethos has been shaped by her experience of leading Hong Kong in numerous international matches and tournaments, after she first played rugby in high school.
“You need to have a strong team culture that bonds players together,” she said.
“You should only focus on a few main skills at each training session, and you should help players build belief in themselves and the team. The key is working on their weaknesses and praising their strengths; showing transparency in how things work in the team.
