Meet Our Coaches

Jason Taumalolo

Rookie Nation Territory Manager – Townsville

From a young kid with a dream to an NRL champion and one of the most respected forwards of his generation — Jason Taumalolo knows what it takes to make the journey.

Jason Taumalolo is a North Queensland rugby league icon whose own pathway began as a young player in Townsville. After moving to the region at just 14 years of age, Jason developed through the local junior system before going on to represent the Cowboys, New Zealand and Tonga at the highest level.

A Dally M Medal winner, NRL Premiership winner, World Club Challenge winner and international representative, Jason has built a career on hard work, resilience, leadership and an uncompromising commitment to getting better.

Now, Jason is bringing that experience back to the next generation.

As the Rookie Nation Territory Manager for Townsville, Jason will help create opportunities for young players across the region to develop their skills, confidence and love of the game. His focus is not simply on finding the next professional player — it's about helping every young athlete discover what they are capable of.

Jason knows the pathway because he lived it. Now he's helping the next generation find theirs.

Dream it. Work for it. Become it.

Rookie Nation x Jason Taumalolo — Townsville

TOWNSVILLE

Valentine Holmes

Rookie Nation Territory Manager – Cronulla

From the local junior fields to an NRL Premiership, State of Origin and the international stage — Valentine Holmes knows what it takes to turn potential into performance.

Valentine Holmes began his rugby league journey playing junior football in Townsville before being signed by the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at just 17 years of age. He moved to Sydney to join the Sharks' pathway system, worked his way through the junior ranks and made his NRL debut in 2014.

What followed was an outstanding career. Valentine became a key part of the Sharks' 2016 NRL Premiership-winning team, represented Australia, played State of Origin for Queensland, won three Rugby League World Cups with Australia and experienced professional football in the NFL through the International Player Pathway Program.

Valentine's journey has been built on talent, hard work, resilience and the willingness to chase opportunities — including stepping outside his comfort zone and pursuing his NFL dream.

Now, he is bringing that experience back to the next generation.

As the Rookie Nation Territory Manager for Cronulla, Valentine will work with young players across the region to help them develop their skills, confidence and understanding of what it takes to progress through the rugby league pathway.

His goal is simple: give young players the knowledge, opportunity and belief to see how far they can take their game.

He came through the pathway. He knows what it takes. Now he's helping build the next generation.

Dream it. Work for it. Become it.

Rookie Nation x Valentine Holmes — Cronulla

CRONULLA

Shaun Lane

Rookie Nation Territory Manager – Northern Beaches

He came through the system. He played at the highest level. Now he’s helping the next generation find their pathway.

Shaun Lane knows what it takes to turn an opportunity into a career.

A product of the Sydney junior rugby league system, Shaun began his journey with the South Eastern Seagulls before progressing through the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs pathway and making his NRL debut in 2015.

His career took him through the New Zealand Warriors and Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, where he established himself as a powerful and consistent NRL forward before joining the Parramatta Eels. Shaun went on to play more than 200 NRL games and became one of Parramatta’s key forwards, earning the 2022 Ken Thornett Medal as the club’s Player of the Year and helping the Eels reach the 2022 NRL Grand Final.

But Shaun’s journey is about more than what happened on the field.

Throughout his career, he experienced the challenges that come with elite sport — competition for positions, setbacks, injuries, pressure and the constant demand to improve. Those experiences have given him a genuine understanding of what young players need as they develop both as footballers and as people.

Now, as Rookie Nation Territory Manager for the Northern Beaches, Shaun is focused on giving the next generation access to quality coaching, development opportunities and a clear pathway within rugby league.

His goal isn't simply to find the next professional player. It's about helping young athletes build confidence, develop their skills, understand the game and discover how far they can take themselves.

Shaun also brings valuable experience from beyond his playing career, moving into elite pathways and developmentfollowing his retirement from the NRL.

He came through the pathway. He knows what it takes. Now he’s helping build the next generation.

MANLY

Keano Kini

Rookie Nation – Gold Coast Territory Manager

From playing OzTag in Auckland to becoming an NRL star on the Gold Coast, Keano Kini knows exactly where a sporting journey can begin.

Born in Auckland, Keano moved to the Gold Coast with his family and attended Palm Beach Currumbin State High School, where his passion for sport continued to grow. After starting his junior journey with the Northcote Tigers, Keano was spotted playing OzTag and signed by the Gold Coast Titans in 2020.

After developing his game with the Burleigh Bears, Keano made his NRL debut for the Titans in 2023. Since then, he has established himself as an exciting young talent, earning recognition for his performances and taking out the 2024 Paul Broughton Medal as the Gold Coast Titans' best player.

Keano has also proudly represented New Zealand at international level, adding another chapter to an impressive young career.

🌟 Now He's Ready to Inspire the Next Generation

For Keano, sport has always been about more than what happens on the field. It's about having fun, making friends, building confidence, learning from challenges and believing in yourself.

As Rookie Nation's Gold Coast Territory Manager, Keano is excited to bring his passion for sport back to the community that has played such an important part in his own journey.

Whether your child dreams of becoming an NRL star, wants to try something new or simply loves being active and having fun, Keano is ready to help them take their first steps into the world of sport.

🏉 **Gold Coast local.**🔥 **NRL & international experience.**⭐ Passionate about inspiring young athletes.

The next generation of Gold Coast rookies starts here — and Keano Kini is ready to lead the way!

Gold Coast

Dylan Brown

Rookie Nation – Newcastle Territory Manager

From a young rugby league player in Whangārei to an NRL star and New Zealand international, Dylan Brown’s journey is one of talent, determination and chasing big dreams.

Born in Auckland and raised in Whangārei, New Zealand, Dylan began his rugby league journey with the Hikurangi Stags before moving to Sydney at just 15 years old to pursue his dream of playing in the NRL.

Dylan quickly made his mark, progressing through the Parramatta Eels junior system before making his NRL debut in 2019. He went on to establish himself as one of the game's exciting playmakers, reaching 100 first-grade games in 2024 and representing New Zealand at international level.

In 2026, Dylan began a new chapter with the Newcastle Knights, making his club debut in Round 1 and bringing his experience and passion for the game to the Newcastle community.

🌟 From NRL Star to Rookie Nation Mentor

Now, Dylan is taking that passion beyond the professional field as Rookie Nation's Newcastle Territory Manager.

Dylan knows that every sporting journey starts somewhere — whether it's kicking a footy in the backyard, playing with friends or stepping onto the field for the very first time.

Through Rookie Nation, Dylan is excited to help Newcastle's young athletes get active, build confidence, learn new skills and most importantly, have fun.

Whether your child dreams of becoming the next NRL star or simply loves sport, Dylan is ready to help them discover what they're capable of.

🏉 **NRL experience.**🌏 **New Zealand international.**🔥 **Passionate about inspiring the next generation.**⭐ Now proudly representing Rookie Nation Newcastle.

Newcastle's next generation of sporting stars starts here — and Dylan Brown is ready to help them chase their dreams!

Newcastle

Liam Knight

Rookie Nation – Eastern Suburbs Territory Manager

From the Central Coast to the NRL and Super League, Liam Knight has lived the professional sporting journey — and now he’s bringing that experience to the next generation of young athletes.

A proud product of The Entrance Tigers and Berkeley Vale Panthers, Liam’s journey began in junior rugby league before earning a place in the Manly Sea Eagles system and making his NRL debut in 2016.

Over an impressive professional career, Liam went on to represent Manly, the Sydney Roosters, Canberra Raiders, South Sydney Rabbitohs, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and Hull FC, gaining valuable experience across both the NRL and Super League. He also represented NSW Under-20s and reached the milestone of 50 NRL games during his time with South Sydney.

Now back home in Australia and continuing his passion for rugby league, Liam is taking on a new challenge as Rookie Nation’s Eastern Suburbs Territory Manager.

🌟 From Professional Player to Rookie Mentor

Liam knows that sport is about more than just winning. It’s about confidence, teamwork, resilience, friendships and having fun.

Through Rookie Nation, Liam is excited to give kids the opportunity to experience the same excitement he discovered as a young player — while helping them build skills, confidence and a genuine love for sport.

Whether your child dreams of playing professionally or simply loves getting active and having fun, Liam is ready to help them find their inner rookie.

🏉 **Professional experience.**🔥 **Real sporting passion.**⭐ A genuine love for developing young athletes.

Welcome to Rookie Nation, Eastern Suburbs — Liam Knight is ready to get the rookies moving!

Eastern Suburbs