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Introducing our Raptors Team
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At the Australian Raptors Rugby Academy we are all volunteers.
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The culture in rugby is rich in history, built on teamwork, camaraderie and respect. Our team is committed to the holistic and supportive development of players while imparting and upholding the core values of Rugby – its as much a part of our Academy's culture as it is of the sport as a whole.
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Michael Hayes
Founder &
Director of Rugby
Email: mike@raptorsrugby.org
Mike is a current IRB Level 4 Rugby Coach and draws on his rugby playing and coaching experiences to lead our Academy with success.
Having played rugby for the Waratahs, Queensland Reds and Australia as an Under 21 representative, Mike transitioned easily into coaching.
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Mike has been a former Head Coach of the QLD Super W First XV, the Brumbies Provincial First XV, Manly Marlins First XV, Gordon First XV Backs Coach, former ARU Junior Gold Coach, and the 2022 NSW Country U18's Head Coach, Mike brings an enormous amount of experience and knowledge about Rugby and personal development to our Academy.
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In his spare time, Mike is currently assisting The Scots College as a core skills Coach; he is a Coaching Consultant for the Nextgen Rugby Academy in QLD, and
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Outside of rugby, Mike is the owner of Wilderness Experience Training specialising in resilience training, cultural change, group cohesion and intrinsic development for companies and elite sporting teams.
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Tara Sullivan
Founder &
Academy Director
Email: tara@raptorsrugby.org
Tara lives and breathes rugby through her sons rugby playing career. A devoted mum and astute business woman, Tara brings her management and leadership skills to the Raptors Academy to develop and guide the Academy into the future.
Tara draws on her experiences from leading multiple successful companies in the civil construction and engineering, property development and landscaping industries. Working within multiple teams across various operational and organizational levels, coordinating and leading teams comes naturally to her.
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In a voluntary capacity, Tara successfully held the position of President for the NSW Calisthenics Association Inc from 2006 to 2019 and was a Director for the Australian Calisthenic Federation Inc until 2019. Having led and worked with multiple executive boards, committees and sub-committees, Tara contributed to the development of new strategic plans, polices and organisation programs for the calisthenic community. She has also led the planning of multiple State and National championship competitions catering. Her event management skills align seamlessly with the structure of the Raptors Academy programs.
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In her spare time (when she is not at Rugby with her son) Tara likes to spend time in her greenhouse nurturing and propagating various plants, and spending quality time with her husband, their dogs and grandchildren.
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Tara is passionate about the both the physical and holistic development opportunities the Raptors Academy can provide and looks forward be a part of something that is going to have a positive impact on the lives of young rugby players and developing coaches.
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Patrick Hughes
Founder &
Director of ICT
Email: admin@raptorsrugby.org
Being from New Zealand, Rugby Union is part of Patrick's DNA. Having played throughout his youth growing up in New Zealand, Patrick was selected in the First XV team for Massey High School at the age of 16 years old. This led to Patrick representing North Harbour Secondary Schools which created the opportunity to move to Australia to play rugby.
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Patrick was signed with U21's Penrith Emus and played one season before transferring to Parramatta Two Blues to make his debut in First Grade.
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Patrick's passion still exists for rugby and he began the journey of coaching after becoming a parent. Patrick has coached local junior club teams in the Illawarra region of NSW for over 8 years and was an assistant coach for the Illawarra juniors representative team for the past 4 years.
Patrick's passion is to provide junior players with a positive experience in rugby union to forge resilient young men in the future.
Shanna Mahony
Director of Compliance & Legal Affairs
Email: shanna@raptorsrugby.org
Shanna joined the rugby community through her sons and husband and has developed a passion for the game and in particular the development of junior players.
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Shanna is a practicing Barrister with the NSW Bar and a Nationally Accredited Arbitrator. These professional roles have allowed for the development of well established legal skills, strong organisational and analytical skills, an attention to detail and ability to anticipate and resolve issues as they arise in a calm and resolution focused manner.
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Shanna also has many years experience in junior sports administration across multiple sports. She has worked within the management and operations of Little Athletics NSW Clubs, Junior AFL leagues, Junior Rugby League at Club and District level and Junior Rugby Union.
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Outside of rugby you can find Shanna planning her next travel to fuel her love of exploring the world and its different cultures and environments.
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Dion Miller
Director of Partnerships & Events
Email: dion@raptorsrugby.org
Dion injects boundless enthusiasm and unwavering passion into our Raptors family, enriching our community with his vibrant presence.
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Drawing from a wealth of rugby experience, Dion's roots in the sport extend from his playing days in both Australia and New Zealand. This firsthand involvement has equipped him with invaluable insights and a deep understanding of the game.
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Beyond his personal achievements on the field, Dion's commitment to rugby extends to coaching within the NSW rugby community. His active involvement in mentoring and guiding aspiring young players underscores his dedication to nurturing the next generation of talent.
Throughout the Sydney region, Dion serves as a beacon of inspiration, imparting his knowledge and experiences to countless youth participants, shaping them into well-rounded athletes and individuals.
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In addition to his contributions to rugby, Dion also excels in the professional realm as the owner and leader of a thriving Landscaping and Construction business. His entrepreneurial spirit and astute leadership skills have propelled his company to success, with operations spanning across all of NSW.
Through his multifaceted endeavors, Dion exemplifies the values of hard work, dedication, and excellence, serving as an exemplary role model within our community.
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Board of Directors
Committee of Management
