coaching team
The expertise and experience of the coaching team are second to none. Every member of the team brings a vast amount of knowledge and an individual approach to the coaching role. Each area of the game has a specific coach ensuring that every participant receives individually tailored tuition.
Below are the names of each of the coaching staff at the academy. Click on the name for further background information and credentials.
Nick Leah
Rugby Academy Director
Nick Stiles
Head Coach and Forwards Coordinator
James Holbeck
Skill Acquisition PhD Research Scholar and Backs Coordinator
Elton Flatley
Kicking Consultant
Dr Cliff Mallett
Sports Psychologist and Coach Education Consultant
Michael Hetherington
High Performance Player Development Programme Strength and Conditioning and Speed Coach
Dr Michael Leveritt
Exercise Physiologist and Dietician
Nick Leah, Rugby Academy Director
Nick holds a Bachelor degree in Coaching Science from the University of Canberra and has just begun a Masters in Sports Coaching through the University of Queensland and the Australian Sports Commission. Nick joins the Academy after two and a half years with the ACT Brumbies and brings an in-depth knowledge of player skill and coach development programs.
Nick's credentials include:
- Head Coach Brumbies Academy 2003 - 2004
- Australian Universities Head Coach 2003
- ACT U19's Head Coach 2003 - 2004
- Skills Coach and Coaching Coordinator Brumbies Academy 2002
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- Coach Education Manager ACT Brumbies 2002
- Facilitated and delivered all Australian Rugby Union and Australian Coaching Council Level 1 and 2 Coaching Courses in the ACT
- Designed and delivered all Advanced Coaching Courses and Coach Education Seminars in the ACT
- Asst. Manager ACT Brumbies (Contract) 2001 - 2002
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- Current ARU Level 3 accredited
- Facilitated and delivered Australian Coaching Council Level 1 and 2 coaching courses.
Through this experience, Nick has designed and analysed hundreds of hours of live training and video training footage, with an aim of enhancing player's core skills.
Nick Stiles, Head Coach Rugby Club Premier Grade and Forwards Coordinator
Background:
Coaching
- 2006 - 2007 Head Coach University of Queensland Premier Grade
- 2004 - Present Kubota Spears Scrum and Lineout Coaching Consultant - Japanese Top League
- St Joseph's Gregory Terrace Technical Director of Coaching 2003 - Present - 1st XV GPS Premiers 2004
- Coaching Director Queensland Rugby Union 1995 - 1996
- Anglican Church Grammar School 1st XV Assistant Coach, 1994
- Current ARU Level II Accredited
Playing
- Wallabies (12 Tests) and Australia A, 2000 - 2003
- Qld Reds (95 Games) 1998 - 2005M
James Holbeck, Skill Acquisition PhD Research Scholar and Backs Coordinator
Background:
Coaching
- Assistant Coach (Backs) Randwick Premier Grade in NSWRU Premier Rugby 2005
- Technical Advisor Randwick Premier Grade - Undefeated Premier's NSW Premier Rugby 2004
- Currently ARU Level II accredited and completed the Waratah's Advanced Coaching Program in 2005
Playing
- Wallabies 1997 - 2001 (7 Tests)
- ACT Brumbies 1996 - 2003
- Australian U21's 1994
- Randwick Premier grade 1993 - 2001
Elton Flatley, Kicking Consultant
- Background:
Coaching
Is in the process of setting up the Elton Flatley kicking school and consults a number of schools and Professional Teams
Playing
- Wallabies 1997 - 2005 (38 Tests)
- Queensland Reds 1996 - 2006 (109 Games)
- Australian U21's 1996 - 1997
- Premier grade club rugby 1996 - 2005
Dr Cliff Mallett, Sports Psychologist & Coach Education Consultant
Background:
- National High Performance coach in track and field with the Australian Institute of Sport and the Queesnsland Academy of Sport 1994 - 2000
- Team Coach at the 1996 and 2004 Olympics and four World Championships
- National Events Coach for Sprints and Relays 1994- 2006
- Silver Medal 4x 400 Mens Relay- Athens 2004
- Editor of 'Modern Athlete & Coach' - Technical Journal for Australian Track and Field Coaches Association
- Co-ordinator of the University of Queensland Post Graduate Programs in Elite Sports Coaching - a joint venture between the University of Queensland School of Human Movement and the Australian Institute of Sport
- Lecturer for sport psychology and coaching
- Registered and practicing sports psychologist
Michael Hetherington, High Performance Player Development Programme Strength and Conditioning and Speed Coach
Background:
- Australian Level II Strength and Conditioning qualified
- Bachelor of Human Movement Studies at University of Queensland
- Former Nationally ranked 200 and 400 meter runner
Dr Michael Leveritt, Exercise Physiologist and Dietician
Background:
- Lecturer in exercise physiology at the University of Queensland
- Post doctoral research scientist with the Australian Institute of Sport
- Accredited practicing sports dietician
- Strength and conditioning coach with the Australian Institute of Sport - canoeing and kayaking
