Dr Sam Messam joins LDM as a Trustee
With the countdown to the Leeds Basketball Festival and our annual Black History Month celebrations, we are delighted to begin October with the special announcement of Dr Sam Messam as the newest member of our Board of Trustees.
Sam joins us with extensive experience in sports development, coaching, and education. As Talent Programme & Pathway Manager at Basketball England, he plays a leading role in shaping the national talent pathway, building programmes that help young players reach their potential. Alongside this, his career as a Senior Lecturer in Sports Coaching and his continued commitment to coach education underline his passion for developing both athletes and leaders.
No stranger to the region, Sam has coached in both Leeds and Bradford for the past decade, from Yorkshire regional squads to City of Leeds Basketball Club and the Bradford Dragons. His track record shows a deep commitment to developing talent locally as well as nationally.
Sam’s achievements speak for themselves. He is one of only ten coaches in the UK to hold the UKCC Level 4 Coaching Award, has been awarded a National Teaching Fellowship from the Higher Education Academy for excellence in teaching, scholarship, and research, and completed a Ph.D. in Elite Coaching Practice, strengthening his expertise in high-performance coaching. These credentials highlight both his academic standing and his ability to deliver impact at the highest level.
For LDM, Sam’s appointment goes beyond his impressive background. He will play a key role in developing a performance offer for the organisation—helping us raise standards in coaching, planning, and player development across all of our programmes. His expertise will ensure that every young person who comes through LDM, from grassroots to academy, experiences high-quality basketball that supports both personal growth and performance.
Reflecting on his appointment, Sam said:
“I am extremely honoured and privileged to have made it on to the Board of LDM. Having grown up in Hyson Green, a small inner city area of Nottingham I know all too well the value of community, the brace that is afforded a young man searching for support. I hope to contribute to continuing to build a safe space, a welcoming environment and a basketball offer that meets the needs of all and serves the community with pride and passion. I am particularly keen to focus in on the performance element of the club and offer some direction as a means of advancing the great work already delivered across the city.”
Sam now joins an already impressive line-up of trustees who will lead LDM into the next chapter of our exciting journey. We are proud to welcome him to the Board and look forward to his guidance as we strengthen our programmes, raise standards in coaching and performance, and create even greater opportunities for young people across Leeds.