Rhian Wilkinson is the legendary Head Coach of the Welsh Women’s football team, an ex-Olympian & elite football coach. Between 2003 and 2017, she earned 183 caps, making her one of the 50 most-capped female footballers of all time. With two Olympic medals and her complete transformation of Wales’ women’s football team, Rhian is a powerhouse of skill, determination and drive.
During a career playing women’s football for Canada, the US, and even Norway, Rhian competed at the highest levels in sport, including in four FIFA Women’s World Cups and three Olympic Games: Beijing, London, and Rio, winning bronze at the latter two. She transitioned into coaching following her retirement, working with Canadian Soccer as an Assistant Coach and the Vancouver Whitecaps as Head of Women’s Soccer. Following her role as Head Coach for U17s and U20s with Canadian Soccer, she joined the coaching team in England and served as Team GB's Assistant Coach, helping Hege Riise’s staff lead them to the Tokyo Olympics. Rhian then acted as Head Coach for Portland Thorns before stepping back for a short period. Since 2024, she has coached the Welsh women’s football team. Under her leadership, Wales made history by qualifying for the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025.
Her status as one of the most elite coaching talents in the field has not gone unnoticed. A three-time Pan American Medallist and five-time Quebec Player of the Year, Rhian was inducted into the Canada Soccer Hall of Fame, cementing her reputation as one of history’s greatest sports coaches.
A master at excelling under pressure, Rhian is an impressive figurehead within the field of women’s football. Diving into discussions on teamwork, equality, and playing football at the highest levels, Rhian is the speaker to book to inspire, motivate and encourage audiences to become the best versions of themselves. Through navigating and excelling in male-dominated spaces, she is a trailblazing, history-making leader passionate about empowering the individuals who make the beautiful game what it is: beautiful.
Rhian Wilkinson's official speaking topics are listed below:
- Leadership and Teamwork
- Football at a Club and International Level
- Diversity and Equality
- Understanding Pressure
- The Psychology of Winning
- Transferring Skills
- Pressure Management
- Working in a Male Environment
- Challenging Perceptions
- 2024 – Head Coach, Football Association of Wales
- 2023 – Project 8 Pathway Advisor, Project 8 Sports Inc
- 2021 – Head Coach, Portland Thorns FC
- 2021 – England & Team GB Assistant Coach, The Football Association
- 2019 – U17 & U20 Head Coach, Canadian Soccer
- 2018 – Head of Women’s Soccer, Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- 2016 – Assistant Coach, Canadian Soccer
- 2016 – Bronze Medal, Rio Olympics
- 2014 – 2nd Assistant Coach for Women’s Under 20 Team, Canada Soccer
- 2012 – Bronze Medal, London Olympics
- 2008 – Olympic Debut, Beijing Olympics
- 2004 – Program Trainer, Fundstream Inc
How to hire Rhian Wilkinson
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Rhian Wilkinson for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do NOT accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
