For Sophia Ikosidekas, coaching has never simply been something she does. It is where she has found her passion, purpose and now, her career.
After coaching since the age of 15, Sophia has recently stepped into her dream role as Head Coach of the Brisbane Lions Academy Female Pathway. The opportunity has taken her interstate, away from family and friends, and firmly outside her comfort zone.
“I am very much jumping in the deep end in the pursuit of mastery,” she says.
It is a leap that reflects the way Sophia has approached much of her leadership journey. Back yourself, step into the arena and learn by doing.
Sophia’s earliest coaching influence was her dad, who coaches national athletes in weightlifting. Growing up, she wanted to learn from him, while also carrying the competitive drive to one day “beat” him and become even better.
Being the first born in her family, naturally curious and always looking for something new to learn, coaching quickly became the space where Sophia felt most herself.
“I like to say I am the pathway coach,” she says.
Across 13 years, she has accumulated thousands of hours of coaching experience across basketball and football. She has worked everywhere from Auskick and Under 8s through to school competitions, representative leagues, senior football, VFLW, Talent League, national programs and AFLW environments.
Now, all of those experiences have led to an opportunity to shape the next generation of female football.
“Thirteen years on, my passion for coaching is my job,” she says. “It is a big responsibility that I don’t take lightly. I have an opportunity to positively impact the future of female football in a significant way.”
One of Sophia’s most memorable coaching experiences came during her time as a secondary HPE teacher at an all boys school.
Sophia coached the same group across Year 7 and Year 8 and, for many of the students, she was likely the first female football coach they had experienced.
She brought her high performance coaching approach directly into the school environment. Games were filmed and reviewed. Training had a clear purpose. Players trained in their positions, and Sophia even created a social media role for a student to film games, write articles and share match summaries with the school community.
Then came the Grand Final.
Their opposition had been undefeated for two years and had beaten Sophia’s team by 40 points earlier in the season.
Sophia’s team won.
“That win was about building belief,” she says. “It showed them how to play bigger than themselves and play for the school and the group.”
For Sophia, the result represented something more than a premiership. It was also an opportunity to challenge assumptions about what leadership in football can look like.
“It really showed what a female coach can do, even with a boys team.”
Sophia applied for Empowered to Lead almost on a whim.
A passionate lifelong learner, she aims to complete a certificate every two years as part of her commitment to continually building her knowledge and becoming a stronger leader for the players she coaches.
With a long history of what she calls “collecting certificates”, Sophia initially expected Empowered to Lead to feel similar to other professional development programs.
“I assumed this course would be similar to the rest. Theory based learning and generic lessons in leadership.”
Instead, she found something very different.
“I loved the way the course was built and structured. I enjoyed the journey it took us on, from the inside out.”
Rather than beginning with how to lead others, Sophia valued the opportunity to first understand herself. The program explored mindset, strengths and values, and how each influences the way we show up as leaders.
“The topics were deliberate because we discussed not just impacting others, but how our own mindset and understanding of our strengths and values impact the influence we have.”
The combination of theory, practical resources and reflection made the learning immediately relevant to Sophia’s own experiences.
“There was also a great sense of accountability to bring forward and share our experiences and learn from one another.”
For Sophia, one of the most powerful aspects of Empowered to Lead was not a particular framework or piece of theory.
It was the people.
As the program progressed, she noticed how quickly the cohort became willing to share deeply personal experiences and perspectives with one another.
“The moment that most stood out to me was how vulnerable and open the conversations were towards the end.”
Despite spending only an hour together each week over five weeks, the level of connection within the group was significant.
“You can’t fake that level of psychological safety and trust.”
For a coach who understands the importance of building strong teams, that experience left a lasting impression.
Two areas of Empowered to Lead have been particularly valuable as Sophia steps into her new Head Coach role.
The Leadership Game Plan strengthened her understanding of herself as a leader and encouraged her to trust the strengths she already brings.
“Step into the arena and back yourself in,” she says. “You learn by doing, not standing on the sidelines.”
The Leading Others module also gave Sophia practical frameworks for understanding how teams develop, how trust is built and what leaders can do to support people through different stages.
As she begins leading a large group of staff and players, these lessons have become immediately relevant.
“I can really think about how I am building trust with staff and players, what stage we are in, and what actions can support each stage.”
It reflects something Sophia has seen throughout her years in sport. Great teams are not simply collections of talented individuals. They are built through connection, trust and a shared belief in what they can achieve together.
“Don’t underestimate the power of team belief,” she says. “You may not be the most skilled or smart, but you can be a hard worker with a vision and go a long way.”
Sophia’s next chapter is already underway.
Moving interstate alone to pursue her dream role requires the same qualities she has spent years encouraging in the athletes she coaches. Courage, curiosity, hard work and a willingness to step forward before knowing exactly how everything will unfold.
Her journey is also an example of what becomes possible when women back themselves to take up space in environments where female leadership continues to grow.
After thousands of hours spent developing others, Sophia is continuing to invest in her own growth too.
And perhaps the leadership lesson she carries with her says it best.
“Step into the arena and back yourself in. You learn by doing, not standing on the sidelines.”
For Sophia, leadership means being willing to take that first step, build belief in the people around you and never underestimate what an underdog with a shared vision can achieve.
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