Meet YOur REBELS RUGBY Board of Directors
President
My passion for Rugby started with my school teacher when I was 11 years old. Since then my passion has only strengthened. I believe Rugby builds life skills not only for the players but for everyone involved. I was proud to be part of the Coaching Team at Billingham Rugby Union Football Club for many years. We then moved to the US about 4 years ago and I wanted to continue my Rugby journey and hopefully grow this sport in a country with some incredible talent. My ambition for this club is to build a strong Rugby Club, to grow the game in Georgia but most of all to build young men and women that believe in our values of Respect, Teamwork, Discipline, Sportsmanship & Enjoyment. Proud to be a Rebel.
Vice President
I was very privileged to have grown up in an International Rugby environment with my granddad, Choet Visser, who was involved in International Rugby and the owner of the world’s biggest private Rugby Museum. I had the pleasure of managing the Museum for several years, met many of my childhood heroes and wrote a book that was published throughout the Rugby world. I was fortunate that my passion became my work and was heavily involved in the 1995 Rugby World Cup hosted in South Africa through Sports Marketing, and then subsequently developed Commercial, Marketing and Digital Strategies for the International Rugby Board (IRB) – now World Rugby. I played Rugby for 12+ years while attending Grey College which is a world-renowned Rugby School in South Africa and I continue to be involved in Schoolboy Rugby as a founder of South Africa’s Premier Interschools televised live on TV & streamed through Digital Media . As a Level 200 Coach I helped to grow the Youth Program of Rebels Rugby in Atlanta over the last five years and I continue to be very passionate to give back to the game. By being involved at grass roots levels can impact so many people’s lives and I’m fortunate to be part of Rebels Rugby that instils sportsmanship, team-work and respect with our youth while still having fun and enjoy the game we all love.
Communications Director
Amanda discovered her love for rugby in college, leaving soccer behind to pursue a sport that was a perfect match for her. She quickly fell in love with the tackling, speed, and sense of family and community that rugby provided. Rugby taught her many valuable lessons, including confidence, respect, patience, teamwork, and how to persevere after taking a hard hit. Her son has also embraced rugby and she is committed to helping grow the Rebels Rugby family so that the Rebel spirit and name continue to thrive for years to come. Amanda played for Emory University in 1995 as a Prop and Lock, and helped start a rugby team at Agnes Scott College in 1996. During this time, she also held the position of Vice President of the club. From 1998 to 2005, Amanda played for the Atlanta Harlequins, where she held positions such as Treasurer and New Player Induction. Her team went to nationals several times, finishing in the top 8 and top 4 in the nation before the formation of the WPL. Amanda was also a member of the South Panthers Women's All Star team for five years.
Darren Redmond
Secretary
Governmental Affairs
Treasurer
Director Operations
Bob has had a career as a marketing executive that has grown and lead companies across North America and Europe. His role within SYRO is to keep the records, assist the President in setting priorities and maintaining our annual agenda.
A former forward from the Edmonton Rugby Union in Alberta, Bob was drawn back into rugby as his 13 year old son became more involved. He enjoys Rugby, Martial Arts and has earned the rank of Shodan in Aikido.
Bob lives in Roswell with his son, daughter and Golden Retreiver, Max.