ABOUT THE ACADEMY

Developing young people into leaders with outstanding character.

THE RHINOS CODE

RHINOS ACADEMY

The Rhinos Rugby Academy was founded in 2014 in Southern California with the vision of providing high-performance rugby training and competition for U8-U20 Boys and Girls in the US. Over the last few years, the Academy has grown to provide athletes a clear and competitive rugby pathway from junior age, to college and professional level, as well as USA Rugby National Teams.

The Academy fosters a training, academics and competitive environment where athletes learn and apply core life values such as respect, honor, discipline, integrity, teamwork and accountability. The Academy has two training facilities, one in Irvine (servicing Southern California), and one in Sacramento (servicing Northern California). Each location provides custom-designed world-class facilities and coaching staff that implement the Academy training programs Monday thru Saturday, year-around, as well as guest coaches from USA National Team player pool, MLR player pool, and international coaches from South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and France. The Academy also operates satellite programs across the country (Colorado, Bay Area, Oklahoma, Arizona and more coming).

In 2020, we launched a remote interactive training program for both rugby and S&C, available to players anywhere in the world, and structured by levels of fitness and rugby skills and IQ. For 2021 and 2022, we plan to bring international exchange programs for our athletes, as well as to expand our private school and mentorship programs capacity.

We recognize the importance of creating KPIs and CSF’s in our annual mapping for both rugby 15s and 7s and value providing opportunities and experiences in training and on competitive tours for each.

Our programs focus on goal-oriented training with constant progress tracking and adjustment. They are centered around building confidence and self-assuredness. The workouts are customized for each athlete, depending on their age, level (Core or Elite), abilities, goals in rugby, and previous competitive performance. Our athletes holistic development is of the utmost importance to us and we ensure this by focusing on: academics, rugby, nutrition, strength and conditioning, rugby IQ, and general long-term personal development plans in relation to college and/or professional rugby, and/or National Team aspirations.

Besides player development, a significant focus of our Academy is “coach development and education”, and we strongly feel that self reflection and lifelong learning for our coaches are important pillars to the success and transference of knowledge to our academy members. Our coaches development programs include mentorship, peer-based rugby curriculum development, social and cultural awareness seminars, as well as sessions with National Teams and Professional Rugby Clubs guest coaches from around the world, including from South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, France and USA.

U14 – U18 Age Groups: This is the “Learn to Execute Under Pressure” phase (learn to execute performance rugby skills under pressure and in competition, once they are mastered through training).

U8 – U12 Age Groups: This includes “FUNdamentals” as well as “Learn to Play and Practice” phases (fun, safety, basic skills and understanding of the game and spacial awareness).

U18 – U20 Age Groups: This is the “Learn to Adapt” phase (learn to adjust to various match conditions, including change of strategy, through multi-functional roles adaptability).

High-Performance Program: This is the “Elite” phase (train and compete consistently at the highest level of rugby performance while always cultivating a “team-first“ environment).

RUGBY ACHIEVEMENTS

  • 2020
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2019
  • 2019
  • 2019
  • 2019
  • 2019
  • 2018
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  • 2018
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  • 2018
  • 2017
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Training Philosophy

Our programs focus on goal-oriented training with constant progress tracking and adjustment. They are centered around building confidence and self-assuredness. The workouts are customized for each athlete, depending on their age, level (Core or Elite), abilities and previous competitive performance, using tracking methods and equipment.

ACADEMY TEAM

Rhinos Code

Accountability

  • Take responsibility for your actions.
  • You are part of a team and the team’s successes and failures are yours as well.
  • Your behavior reflects on your teammates, family, and all Rhinos members.

Respect

  • Play the game as hard as you can but within the laws.
  • Be a proud, supportive, and positive team member.
  • Be tolerant and respectful of different points of view.

Teamwork

  • Set and accomplish goals, individually and as a team.
  • Put the team’s goals before your own.
  • Help your teammates accomplish them.
  • Be resilient when you feel like quitting and encourage others to be the same.

ACADEMY TEAM

Click on photo to see more about us.

AllManagementCoachMarketingDesignTeacher
Chief Executive Officer

Andreea Trufasu
President

Derek Nellmapius
Head of USA SCHOOLS

Billy Nicholas
USA SCHOOLS and Regional Academy Coach

Hope Rogers
USA SCHOOLS and Regional Academy Coach

Justin Benn
Head of Strength & Conditioning

Eddie Van Rooyen
USA SCHOOLS and Regional Academy Coach

Amy Talei Bonte
Strength & Conditioning Coach

Lucious Smith
USA SCHOOLS and Regional Academy Coach

Chris Erasmus
Regional Strength & Conditioning Coach

Garann Kriek
Regional Academy Coach

Nate Augspurger
Regional Academy Coach

Nene Persinger
Facility Supervisor

Brendan Purcell
Rugby Coach

Mason Pedersen
Mentor & Rugby Coach

Nick Boyer
Rugby Coach

Mikey Te’o
Assistant Rugby and S&C Coach

Tyler Fujimoto
Assistant Rugby and S&C Coach

Cyrille Cama
Head of Design

Iulian Franciuc
Executive Assistant

Kristine Mudrinich
Rhinos School Teacher

Mandy Moussavi
Operations & Marketing Associate

Adriana LaShelle
Sports School Teacher

Stephanie Renteria
Sports School Teacher

Michael Mahaney
Logistics Associate

Mark Portnoy
Human Resources Generalist

Priscilla Law Aquino

Chief Executive Officer

Andreea Trufasu

Andreea is the co-owner and CEO of Rhinos Academy. She was born in Romania, and came to US in 1997 for college (Pepperdine University), where she earned a Bachelor of Science, while on the university’s first ever and only full-scholarship in swimming.

Andreea has been a rugby supporter since 2001, channeling her appreciation and passion for the sport and its values into the every day life of the Academy.

She brings her sports, academics and business experience to the Academy to help student-athletes believe in their goals and figure out a pathway to achieve them.

Besides growing the Academy, some of Andreea’s proud accomplishments include:

– 1996 Olympic Games (Atlanta)
– 1995 World Cup (China)
– National and European Champion
– Romanian Masters and Pepperdine University record holder
– Business owner

After living in Romania, USA and Hong Kong, Andreea decided to settle back in California where she built a software business, project.essence, also a sponsor of the Academy.

She dedicates most of her time running her company, the Academy, and creating long-lasting beautiful memories with her family and friends.

President

Derek Nellmapius

Derek is the founder and co-owner of Rhinos Academy, in charge of forging the pathway of high-performance development for youth rugby in US.

Derek was born in South Africa and played rugby for the Wanderers 1st Division Club and the Pirates Club in Johannesburg. He graduated from the prestigious St. Stithians College, and was a nationally ranked golfer as well as cricket player (1st Division), and a successful track athlete.

Derek is a US Level 300/World Rugby Level 2 rugby coach and a Level 100 rugby referee.

After moving to California in 1994 , Derek started his company, PoolRx Worldwide Inc., and turned it into a successful swimming pool product business that has been the Academy’s main sponsor since its inception in 2014. He dedicates most of his time to helping youth rugby and is very passionate about seeing kids succeed in their dreams and helping his adopted country, USA, become a Tier 1 rugby nation.

Head of USA SCHOOLS

Billy Nicholas

Rhinos Academy’s Head of USA SCHOOLS and Lindenwood Women’s Rugby Head Coach

3x USA 7s National Champions, 2x CRC 7s Champions, 2x USA Rugby D1 Elite 15s Champions (Lindenwood)
During continued time at Lindenwood, Billy assisted in developing 21 Collegiate All Americans, 12 USA U20 selections, 4 USA 15s Senior Eagles, 2 USA 7s Eagles, Olympic selection, 2 World Cup 7s selections and multiple international select side and national athletes
2018-2019 Goff Rugby Report Coach of the Year
2018-2019 Goff Rugby Report Team of the Year
2014 USA Rugby ‘Participation’ Coach of the Year
Previous experience with USA Collegiate 7s and Atlantis 7s Tours
Former player with Old Blue RFC
During free time, Billy enjoys volunteering with Special Olympics of MO and Shriners Children’s Hospital of St. Louis

USA SCHOOLS and Regional Academy Coach

Hope Rogers

USA SCHOOLS and Regional Academy Coach

Justin Benn

Head of Strength & Conditioning

Eddie Van Rooyen

USA SCHOOLS and Regional Academy Coach

Amy Talei Bonte

Strength & Conditioning Coach

Lucious Smith

Lucious “Lou”, an LA Rams Legend, is one of the most experienced and dedicated strength and conditioning coaches at our Academy. Dare to try survive his Speed and Agility program!

USA SCHOOLS and Regional Academy Coach

Chris Erasmus

Regional Strength & Conditioning Coach

Garann Kriek

Regional Academy Coach

Nate Augspurger

Regional Academy Coach

Nene Persinger

Facility Supervisor

Brendan Purcell

Rugby Coach

Mason Pedersen

Mentor & Rugby Coach

Nick Boyer

Rugby Coach

Mikey Te’o

Assistant Rugby and S&C Coach

Tyler Fujimoto

Assistant Rugby and S&C Coach

Cyrille Cama

Head of Design

Iulian Franciuc

Executive Assistant

Kristine Mudrinich

Rhinos School Teacher

Mandy Moussavi

Operations & Marketing Associate

Adriana LaShelle

Sports School Teacher

Stephanie Renteria

Sports School Teacher

Michael Mahaney

Logistics Associate

Mark Portnoy

Human Resources Generalist

Priscilla Law Aquino

Academics Philosophy

Our Academy prioritizes the academic success of our student-athletes, with the goal of getting them to college and successfully through college on athletic scholarships. Our Academy’s coaches work hand in hand with our Rhinos Sports School teachers to optimize the environment for scholastic success through individual attention, customized lesson plans, alternating periods of sport and school, and focus and discipline.

ALUMNI

USA NATIONAL TEAM

2018

NAME DESCRIPTION
Eti Haungatau Women Eagles XV

COLLEGE

2019

NAME DESCRIPTION
Mase Funa University of Oregon (Football)

2018

NAME DESCRIPTION
Diego Vasquez Saint Mary’s College of California
Jacob Jenkins Cal Maritime
Kenji Ellison Arizona State University
Jayden Lampley San Jose State University
Jack Krull Boise State University
Latufeao Humboldt University (Football)
Jason Uipi Humboldt University (Football)
Moses Finau Humboldt University (Football)
Angel Torres New England University

2017

NAME DESCRIPTION
Dominic Iacovino Grand Canyon University, Arizona; Freshman of the Week
Christian Gilbert Spring Hill College, Alabama

2016

NAME DESCRIPTION
Aaron Matthews Saint Mary’s College of California; Rookie of the Year; Division 1 Freshman of the Year; 2018 College All-American
Chris Taliu Saint Mary’s College of California
Jimmy McLean Boise State University
Brendan O’Meara Boise State University
Garret Wessel Boise State University

MAJOR LEAGUE RUGBY