Established in early 2024, Sideline Sports Recruitment was founded by Sophie Donato, reflecting a career shaped at the intersection of sport, people and performance and a belief that recruitment should be both human and considered.

Raised in a rugby family, Sophie learned early the importance of teamwork, accountability and doing things properly. With a father who coached professionally and a stepfather deeply respected across club and schoolboy rugby, sport wasn’t just something she watched, it was something she lived. From running the tee and balls for the Red Heavies at the University of Queensland to volunteering and competing herself, Sophie developed a genuine appreciation for how strong environments are built and how easily they can be undermined when the wrong people are in key roles.

Now with over 12 years experience in recruitment, Sophie brings a calm, no-nonsense and deeply human approach to an industry that often overcomplicates what should be about trust and alignment. Having led and mentored recruitment teams, she understands both sides of the table, the pressure on organisations to get it right and the vulnerability candidates feel when considering their next move.

As the Founder of Sideline Sports Recruitment, Sophie specialises in Allied Health, White-Collar and Executive roles across the sporting ecosystem. She is known for being hands-on, honest and highly relational, acting as a true partner rather than a transactional intermediary. Her focus is on long-term fit, cultural alignment and setting both clients and candidates up for sustainable success, not quick wins.

A mum, Sophie brings lived experience of resilience, adaptability and perspective, balancing leadership, family and business ownership with the same pragmatism and grit she expects in the environments she supports.

Outside of recruitment, Sophie remains deeply connected to sport. She has played competitive softball across Queensland and Victoria since the age of nine, continues to play at the Redland Softball Association, volunteers as a Committee Member with Sunnybank Junior Rugby Union and enjoys golf when time allows. Sport isn’t a brand pillar for Sophie, it’s simply part of who she is. 

Above all, Sophie is driven by one thing, helping sporting organisations put the right people in the right seats, so good work and good cultures can thrive.