board members & coaches
Tana Matai’a
Head Coach - HS & Youth Boys
Bryan Frank
Head Coach - Girls
Jorge Lozano
Assistant Coach
Ron Haviland
Assistant Coach
Hans Groenke
Assistant Coach
Troy Elliott
Head Coach - HS & Youth Boys
Bryan has been passionate about rugby for over a decade, with five years of personal involvement in the sport. For the past three years, he has dedicated his time to coaching with the Yakima Griffins. Bryan's goal is to expand the girls' program and help develop players into collegiate-level athletes.
Liberty Matai’a
Organizer
Rugby has been a cornerstone in Troy’s life since being introduced his freshman year of college. He played rugby through college at University of Oregon and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, then for various men’s sides as a young adult. The father of three boys, he became aware of the Yakima Youth Rugby program and introduced his younger two boys to the game in 2022. In 2023, he took an active role as a coach, including completion of his Level 1 Coaching and Refereeing Certificates. Rugby is his passion outside of his family, faith and professional career.
Tana grew up in Samoa, where rugby has been a lifelong passion. After moving to Seattle, he played for the Puget Sound Peaches and later for the Pacific Rovers Rugby Club. Tana joined the Yakima Griffins for a season and is now committed to helping grow and strengthen the rugby program in the Yakima Valley.