COACHING STAFF
2026
First Grade
1st Grade – Head Coach – Seth Stoltenberg
Griffith University Colleges Knights Rugby Union Club are excited to announce the appointment of Seth Stoltenberg as our New Head Coach for season 2026.
Seth joins the Knights with a wealth of experience, having achieved World Rugby Level 3 Coaching certification, participated in the Crusader Leadership program, and has held rugby development and coach education positions at the ACT Brumbies, Queensland Reds, and England Rugby Football Union.
Not to mention his role as GM at Northern Suburbs Rugby Union Club in Sydney Shute Shield Competition.
Seth’s expertise and strategic approach will significantly benefit our Rugby Program, emphasing high performance and an creating an environment that ensures players will thrive both on and off the field, with strong support from our coaching staff in achieving team and club goals.
Welcome to the Knights Seth.
We look forward to an exciting and successful 2026 season under your leadership.
Previous Employment & Coaching Positions:
➢ General Manager & Colts Coaching Director – Northern Suburbs Rugby Club
– Northern Suburbs Colts Coach
– Northern Suburbs Under 18s Head Coach
➢ Head of Rugby & Sports Administration – Daramalan College
– 1XV Assistant Coach
– ACT Schoolgirls 7s Head Coach
– Uni North Owls Colts Coach
➢ Community Rugby Coach Mentor & Educator – England Rugby Football Union
– Old Johnian RFC First Grade Head Coach
– Richmond Women’s Skills Coach
– UCL Medics Head Coach
– Harlequins Inner London DPP Age Group Lead
– Nomads 7s Assistant Coach
➢ Participation Officer, Gold Coast – Queensland Rugby Union
➢ Rugby Development Officer, Southern Inland – ACT Brumbies
– Southern Inland Talent Centre Head Coach
– Southern Inland Women’s 7s Head Coach
– Wagga City Women’s 7s Head Coach
– Wagga Ag College 1st Grade Assistant Coach
Qualifications:
➢ Emerging Coaches Course – Level 3 (2021 – Current)
The Knights would like to take this opportunity to thank Coach Shaun Cole, who after 5 years at the helm has made the decision to step away from his role as head coach to work on some further personal development.
Not only has Shaun steered the Knights to premierships, he has been a part of the Knights fabric for the past 17 years as player, committee member and club captain. We are grateful for everything you have achieved at the Knights and wish you all the best.
TALK TO COACH SETH
1st Grade – Assitant Coach – Des Kissane
The Knights would like to welcome back the great man Des Kissane to our coaching staff in 2026.
Des’s coaching resume speaks for its self across the Brisbane Rugby Scene and Internationally.
(Life Member Brothers Rugby Club)
His expertise and calming influence plays a huge part in further developing our players not only skill wise but as better people in general.
It’s an absolute privilege having Des at the Knights these past few seasons and the club loves having him around.
Welcome back Des.
Des’s coaching resume includes various roles:
Brothers Rugby Club:
Held numerous coaching roles for over 45 years across colts, reserves, and premier grade teams. Des also served on the Board.
Life Member.
Queensland Rugby Union (QRU):
Served as a Coaching Director for several years.
Representative Teams:
Coached Queensland U/19s and U/21s teams, and was involved with the Australia U/19 World Cup team in 2001.
International Stints:
Coached in the USA (San Jose Seahawks RFC), Canada (Edmonton Clansmen RFC, Edmonton Gold, Alberta Province, Calgary Hornets RFC), and Japan (World Bulls RFC).
1st Grade – Assitant Coach – Jaye Paton
Welcome to the newest member of our coaching staff for the 2026 season.
The man needs little introduction to the Knights faithful and those around Gold Coast Rugby.
Jaye remains a talismanic figure at the Knights having led the club to 5 premierships.
He was the inaugural recipient of the Bob Sinclair Medal, awarded to the Gold Coast District Rugby Union (GCDRU) player of the year and in 2022, he was ranked among the top five grassroots rugby union players in Queensland.
Prior to joining the Knights he made over 100 Premier Rugby appearances for Bond University.
In 2025, Jaye made the decision to call an end to his playing career to spend time with his young family and we are delighted that he will continue his legacy at the Knights as part of our coaching staff in 2026.
CLUB TRAINER
Welcome Back Michel Holmes
2nd Grade Coaching Staff 2026
2nd Grade Coaching Staff 2026
We’re excited to Welcome Back Kereti Maniapoto to the Knights in 2026.Kereti fit in seamlessly at the Knights this season steering our 2nd Grade within a whisker of making the Grand Final.Kereti has a wealth of coaching experience and credentials from his time in New Zealand and enjoyed stints at the Nerang Bulls.His background in the Mental Health and Social Work sector has been of benefit to our playing group.Stepping into the coaching ranks in 2026 is Haydn Sing-CarterAn absolute True Clubman, we are wrapped to have Haydo join our coaching staff in 2026.Since arriving at the Knights from Tamworth, Haydo has fully embraced our culture and what it means to be a Knight.During his tenure he has been a part of premiership winning teams, Captained our Second Grade team, served as Club Captain, Awarded Clubman of the Year and has recently been named on the Club Committee in 2026.2026 we will be operating as a top squad with both our First & Second Grade combining, with our coaching team involved across the board with the entire squad.This system streamlines communication, game play, team selections, training schedules etc. Allowing for more engaging and competitive training sessions and continuity between the squad.We are excited to have both Kereti and Haydn taking the reigns overseeing our 2nd Grade particularly on game day and with team management.Congratulations guys and we’re looking forward to seeing the impact you have on our Squad in 2026.OWTK
3rd Grade Coaching Staff 2025
We would like to Introduce our 2026 Third Grade Coaching Team.
Joshua “Wawa” Scott returns as Head Coach of the Thirsty Thirds for yet another season. Josh is a stalwart of the club serving as the clubs President for numerous years and is also the current Senior President. He has led the 3’s to numerous Premierships in the past but more importantly guided young men seamlessly into Senior Rugby, enabling them to progress to the higher grades.
He will have the services of Wally Tipene & Paul Carey at his disposal. Two great Rugby Men who love the game, love our great club and most importantly love the boys. We have no doubt we will see a deep run into the finals from our 3 Grade side again next season with these 3 Men guiding them along.
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Rugby has a proud tradition of sportsmanship, teamwork and camaraderie. As a result, we are always looking for players that share our values and want to be part of an organisation devoted to hard work and community.