MATT TINK – REBEL RUGBY MANAGER
After working for RugbyWA as the Manager of Community Rugby, Matt moved his family to Melbourne to take on this critical role within elite development and the community. As a former Scrum Coach at the Western Force, Matt also worked heavily with their Academy program and was also Forwards Coach of the Force A team. With a background in Coach Education, Matt is very keen to share the philosophies of Rebel Rugby with the local community. Matt is now in charge of coaching within Rebel Rugby and is also Head Coach of the Rebel Rising team. He will also act as a resource to all state teams throughout the season to ensure the Rebel Rugby concepts are common throughout Victoria and will play a major role in not only driving the evolution of Rugby in this state, but in bringing on the first Victorian player into the RaboDirect Melbourne Rebels through the Rebel Rugby program.
RICKY DUMIGAN – REBEL RUGBY STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACH
Ricky arrives at the Rebels after two years with the Brumbies working as a Development Officer in Wagga Wagga. He has a huge array of practical experience in the field of Strength and Conditioning throughout his professional and rugby career. He is an ex Physical Training Instructor in the Australian Army Commando unit and took this further by formulating leadership camps within the NRL. He has worked for Randwick Rugby Club as their S & C Coach, where he also played some of his rugby. He has been a huge contributor to the Australian Services Rugby Union side, playing, captaining and coaching this team. He has, throughout his time in the Army, worked with many sporting teams and special forces from around the world. In addition to this, he has an excellent grasp of the Victorian Rugby Union landscape, having spent some time representing the Melbourne Uni Rugby Club. Ricky has presented at VRU Coach Education Forums and also been an S & C Coach within the Victorian Representative Program. It is wonderful to have Ricky back in the state, bringing his passion and experience around coaching, leadership and physical preparation to the Rebel Rugby Department, where we expect his professional approach will help create future Rebels from Victoria.
SAM CORDINGLEY - PLAYER RECRUITMENT OFFICER AND COACHING AMBASSADOR
Sam is a founding playing member of the RaboDirect Rebels and is also the inaugural recipient of the Club's 5 Star Achievement Award for his community work. Having recently retired from playing, Sam is the perfect fit for the Brisbane based role of player recruitment and as a coaching ambassador for the club. The former Rebels Scrumhalf brings a wealth of experience to the position, having represented his country on over 20 occasions between 2000-08, playing over 60 Super Rugby games and has had the opportunity to ply his trade in the UK and France. Sam will also bring his formal education in Sport and Exercise Science to the Rebel Rugby Department as Assistant Coach of the Rebel Rising team.
NICK RYAN - PLAYER RECRUITMENT OFFICER
Following on from 8 years as the Colts Technical Director of the powerhouse Sydney University Club, Nick presided over an unprecedented 7 Premierships and 8 Club Championships. He was instrumental in establishing the dominance of the club in the Sydney Competition, which has enabled him to cast his watchful eye over the best talent emerging in Australia. With an extensive talent ID network at his fingertips, Nick is responsible for the list management of the Club, creating a detailed succession plan to ensure the Rebels have a strong, balanced squad for many years to come. In addition to this, Nick will also offer his coaching expertise to Rebel Rugby, where he will coordinate and service the Sydney based Wider Training Group under Matt’s direction.
IAN GILLIES - TEAM MANAGER, REBEL RUGBY
Representing a significant point of difference for the Rebels, Ian is the first community volunteer who has been anointed as a staff member of the Rebel Rugby team. Ian has managed many Victorian Representative sides including the U12s and Colts and was also Assistant Manager of the VRU Senior side. He is a Level 3 State Coach in sailing and taken his crews to the Gold Fleet (top 25 in the world) at World Championships and produced both Australian National Open and Youth Champions. He is a past President, Secretary and player with Melbourne University Rugby Football Club and has also coached both Senior and Under age Rugby sides in the Community Game in Victoria for Melbourne Uni and Harlequins. He is the Team Manager of the Rebel Rising program and will also fulfill this role for the Victorian Senior Team.
BRENDAN WHELAN - REBEL RUGBY S&C CUSTODIAN
The second community appointment, Brendan, a proud Irishman, comes to Rebel Rugby with a huge passion and knowledge of the game. His full time employment is running his own Personal Training business at Fit N Fast, where he is also responsible for training and development of the trainers within the business, ensuring they are at the cutting edge of expert fitness programs and advice. He has played and coached at the Harlequins club for many years now, contributing to Victorian Rugby through community rugby and the Victorian state program, being the S & C Coach for the last two years with the Senior State Team. Brendan’s role is to work closely with the RaboDirect Rebels High Performance Staff, then take this knowledge into preparing the best players in Victoria for professional rugby.
TROY MYTTON – REBEL RUGBY S&C CUSTODIAN
Troy has been a strong contributor to Rugby in this state since his move to Melbourne from NZ in 2009, where he joined the Melbourne Uni Rugby Club. He has a wide variety of experience, having worked for Waikato Rugby Union within their Academy and also has been the S & C Coach for the Samoan Rugby Union’s U20 team in 2011. He is currently completing his Masters in Strength & Conditioning and is passionate about seeing young men develop not only into great rugby players, but also great young men.