Our Team

Sean has 25 years experience as a business leader in financial services, financial technology, workplace education (preparing young people for work) and education travel sector for young people (residential summer schools).  A builder of diverse multi-cultural companies with happy, motivated and productive teams.

Sean is a qualified Leadership and Executive Business Coaching Practitioner and delivered personal development programmes to school leavers to help them in their transition to the workplace. Sean remains a committed and competitive rugby player who exemplifies the phrase “never too old to learn new skills” and is an excellent role model to younger teammates both on and off the pitch. Sean holds dear the true meaning of ‘community’.

Archie is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and a Trainee Solicitor. He has experience advising large financial services and corporate energy clients on a number of tax, accounting and legal issues. 

Archie has played rugby for 14 years, and having moved around the country has played for a variety of teams in Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, Norfolk, Essex, London and Nottingham. He joined East Grinstead Rugby Football Club in 2019 after moving to the area and became a member of the club’s Leadership Team in 2020. 

Antony has over 20 years experience in broadcasting and more than 35 as a volunteer with various organisations, many involving young people and supporting those in need. 

Away from his work as a journalist, Antony has significant experience in the areas of charity governance and as a grant giver following 6 years as a volunteer with the National Lottery Community fund.

Dad to East Grinstead "flyer" Henry, Antony helped set up the Supporters Trust at Crawley Town Football Club and was involved as an external trustee in his former University Students Union, an organisation he also served when he was studying.

Committed to community projects and sport Antony brings his wealth of media knowledge to the foundation.

In his spare time, you'll discover he's an enthusiastic long distance runner (more Slo-Mo than Sir Mo) a passionate Crawley Town season ticket holder, an occasional visitor to White Hart Lane and a really really poor golfer.

Ryan has 15 years experience coaching and delivering rugby sessions for all ages and abilities. Working closely with schools, colleges, universities and local rugby club. Ryan also carries 9 years experience with management of many global accounts and management of a small team.

Ryan was very close with Matt from both a personal and coaching perspective, Ryan is currently the assistant head coach at East Grinstead RFC and is passionate about making Matt’s dream a reality.

Garry has over 30 years of experience in Retail and Procurement having been Group Sourcing Director for Primark and M&S. More recently European CEO for Li and Fung Europe he is now Board advisor and Consultant to a number of companies. For many years he has been involved in charity fundraising through rugby, heading up the Sunshine Sevens Tournament which has raised almost £300k for Disadvantage children since it started. Believing there is fun in fundraising, he looks forward to introducing his contacts to the Matt Ratana Rugby Foundation.

A very patriotic New Zealander who believes passionately about giving back to her community, a value honed into all Kiwis from a young age. A daughter of a retired Policeman, with family still in the service, she has the upmost respect for the challenges they face on a daily basis.

Joanne has spent the last 24 years living in the United Kingdom serving the wider community through various Charities and Sporting Clubs. Previous positions held include Chairman of a branch of the National Childbirth Trust and School Governor.

During her time at East Grinstead Rugby Club, she qualified as an England RFU L2 Coach, managing and coaching her Son’s team, and role of Junior Chairman managing the Youth sides. Joanne continues to help with fundraising efforts for the Sunshine 7’s. These efforts were recognised by the Club with the award of Honorary Vice President. 

Joanne works in Private Office as an Executive Assistant/PA for ultra-high net worth individuals.

Darren has been a police officer for over 20 years, all with the Met Police where he is a Chief Inspector. He has worked in many frontline roles across the capital and at New Scotland Yard, leading large teams delivering emergency response, and neighbourhood policing as well as in community and partnership roles. For several years he has worked in the Met’s custody command where he got to know Matt Ratana as a colleague and a friend with a shared a love of rugby.

Darren has played competitive rugby for longer than he cares to remember and has played for many years at the Vigo Rugby Football Club in Kent. He is also a youth coach at Maidstone Rugby Club. At both he attempts to pass on his love of the game (which is huge), and also his knowledge (which is sadly less so!).

Ellen has been teaching for 16 years and has been pastoral leader in schools for much of that time. She has worked in very diverse catchment areas in Oxfordshire and now Sussex, with a huge range of safeguarding and welfare needs.

She is a designated safeguarding lead in her current school and is used to working closely with a wide range of external agencies to ensure the absolute best outcomes for children and their families.  Ellen is the Club Safeguarding Officer at East Grinstead Rugby Club and has been a coach for her sons team at both East Grinstead and previously Gosford All Blacks in Kidlington, Oxfordshire.

She is passionate about rugby and the hugely positive role it can play in all children’s and young people’s lives, giving them self-confidence, developing their physical skills, team skills, self-discipline and above all giving them a family for life in the rugby community.

Max has built his career around a talent for engaging with people. A well respected recruitment professional, Max specialises in Digital, Marketing and Fundraising.

A keen and accomplished rugby player, he is highly regarded by his teammates on and off the pitch. Max is Social Secretary at East Grinstead Rugby Club. 

He is a strong believer in the personal and social development that rugby can bring - especially for younger people.  

Max and Matt were close friends. He takes seriously his role as a guardian of Matt’s legacy and has been instrumental in the formation of The Matt Ratana Foundation.

Lucy is an experienced Practice manager and has over 10 years’ experience in administrative management and effective delivery of projects. She has worked across a number of sectors supporting the delivery of C-Suite and Board appointments for FTSE 100/250 companies and global brands across UK, Europe and the US. 

Outside of work, she previously spent 9 years in Rowing both participating and coaching the sport and more recently played Rugby alongside taking on a committee role at a grassroots rugby club where she helped develop the business strategy for the clubs 5-year plan.

Following 25 years as a company director in the transport sector, Murph now freelances as a media manager and content writer, specialising in sport.

He plays his rugby at London Irish, where, as part of the Vets family, he was privileged to have Matt as a teammate.

Now splitting his time between London and Achill on the wild west coast of Ireland, his other passions include trad music, long-distance hiking and kayaking. To all these disciplines he brings tireless enthusiasm but only modest ability. 

In his Foundation role Murph remains fiercely committed to connecting a rapidly growing audience, as effectively as possible, with Matt’s vision and with our work to deliver it.