Matt began working with the Newcastle Knights in November 2004 , working as a Development Officer in primary schools. His main role is now in the area of Community Development where he oversees and coordinates school programs, coaching courses, seminars, Knights coaching panel, coaching clinics, gala days, junior club visits and community coaching. Matt also works with the local Hunter Sports High School Rugby League program assisting players with skill development.

A Maitland junior he played with the Knights Harold Matthews team progressing through the ranks up to Premier League level. Matt played with the Parramatta Eels in 2003 and 2004 where he also completed a traineeship in Development. He has played with West Newcastle and Maitland in the first grade Newcastle Rugby League competition and is currently coaching at Greta Branxton in the first grade Group 21 competition.

Matt is a current Level 2 Coach, League Safe Trainer, Level 1 Referee and is also an ARL Coaching Course Provider.

Laurie or “Sparra”, has been with the Newcastle Knights since 1991 covering many roles with junior teams. A life member of Cessnock Rugby League Football Club, he played through to grade level where he played 240 grade games for the Goannas. He coached junior teams at Cessnock, captained-coached Cessnock reserve grade and also captain-coached Greta.

In 1991 he joined the Knights as a selector then progressed the following year to an assistant coach with the SG Ball. In 1997 Sparra was an assistant coach and manager of the Jersey Flegg and then moved back to the SG Ball the following year as an assistant coach. Sparra coached the Harold Matthews team for eight (8) years commencing in 1999, where he achieved a premiership in 2000 and was runner up in 2002. He coached the Hunter Academy of Sport Rugby League team, and also had three (3) years coaching the New South Wales Possibles and Probables U/17’s teams between 2001 and 2003.

As junior coaching coordinator he attends senior grade training sessions and oversees junior teams training sessions in an advisory capacity. Sparra also coordinates the Newcastle Knights coaching panel conducting coaching assessments, seminars, and assisting with coach education. Hunter Sports High School has also utilised Sparra as he works as a coaching consultant for the elite Rugby League program, in which he prepares training programs, oversees team training, coaches the U/15’s team and also does some one on one coaching. Sparra is an accredited Level 3 High Performance Coach.

Byron began working with the Newcastle Knights in development as a trainee in March 2007. He moved to Newcastle in 2005 from Nyngan where he played his junior football. In 2005 Byron played S.G. Ball with the Knights and in the 2006 and 2007 seasons he played in the Jersey Flegg team. He has also played in the NSW State Cup competition for the Central Newcastle Knights in 2008.

Byron has completed a traineeship in development and assists with primary school and high school development, coordinates gala days and coaching clinics and also assists with the Rugby League program at Hunter Sports High School. Byron is a Level 1 Club Coach, League Safe Trainer and a Level 1 Referee.

Helene has been a Development Officer with the ARL Development formally known as the ARL Foundation since 2000 when the company was formed. Helene has a background covering many different areas but is usually found somewhere that is involved with sport.

Helene once taught English and History at High School before she moved into a role with Newcastle University and an assistant research project officer for the Australian Sports Commission. She has also worked as a Marketing and First Aid Coordinator at Red Cross, taught part time at Tafe lecturing on Health and Fitness, worked as a gym instructor, personal trainer and also worked as a casual journalist and radio commentator. Recently Helene was elected councillor for Ward 2 in the Newcastle local government area where she chairs the Sports and Advisory panel, is a member of the Australia Day committee, and is also on the Beach asset committee.

Helene is a former Australian Badminton champion, played state squash, has represented in hockey, cricket, touch football and netball and was the Assistant coach for the Australian women’s Rugby League team. In 2004 and 2005 Helene was the conditioner for the Knights Harold Matthews team.

Helene’s role with the ARL Development is to develop the game mainly in the area of primary schools within the Newcastle area, assist junior league clubs and coordinate gala days and holiday coaching clinics. Helene is a Level 2 Coach, Level 1 Referee, Level 1 sports Trainer and also an ARL coaching course provider.

Kacey recently moved to the Hunter Valley to join the ARL Development after having lived in Wollongong for several years whilst completing a Bachelor of Education (Physical and Health Education) at Wollongong University, graduating with Distinction. Kacey grew up in the small Riverina town of Temora, a strong Rugby League community famous for producing many NRL players.

She has played and coached Lacrosse whilst in the position of Regional Coordinator for NSW Lacrosse in the Illawarra. She has also played netball, basketball and touch football at a representative level. Kacey worked as a Development assistant in Wollongong with the
St George Illawarra Dragons in 2006-2007, implementing various Rugby League and League-tag clinics, gala days and Active-After Schools programs to students of all abilities.

Her role with the ARL Development is to develop the game of Rugby League in the Hunter Valley area focusing on primary school coaching clinics, assisting junior league coaches as well as coordinating gala days and school holiday coaching clinics. Kacey is an accredited Club Coach, Level 1 Sports Trainer, Level 1 Referee and also a Level 1 Touch Coach. She has an extensive understanding of the human anatomy, physiology, exercise physiology and biomechanics through her University studies.