MEET THE TEAM
Dr Sean Murray-Smith – Co-Founder & Director, The Coach’s Assistant
Dr Sean Murray-Smith is a co-founder and director of The Coach’s Assistant, bringing over two decades of high-level experience in strength and conditioning, athlete development, and sport science to the company. Since 2004, Sean has worked with athletes across all levels—from novice and grassroots participants to Olympic and international representatives—through his private coaching, and consulting roles with the Illawarra Academy of Sport and the NSW Institute of Sport.
Sean has developed a performance-driven, athlete-first philosophy grounded in scientific principles and long-term development models. His coaching spans a broad range of team and individual sports including basketball, hockey, netball, swimming, athletics, and aerial skiing. Across these disciplines, he has helped athletes achieve professional, national, and international success. Central to Sean’s approach is his ability to build strong connections with athletes, using evidence-based strategies to support continual improvement, resilience, and performance longevity.
Sean is deeply passionate about athlete development at every stage, from foundational skill acquisition to preparing athletes for elite and Olympic-level competition. His commitment to excellence and innovation ensures that every athlete receives personalised, high-quality support tailored to their goals and sport-specific demands.
Sean recently completed his PhD, a landmark injury surveillance study in adolescent community rugby commissioned by World Rugby. His research contributes critical insights into injury incidence, player maturation, and physical profiling—offering valuable guidance for safer, more effective participation and development pathways in the sport.
Shaun McCreedy – Founder & Director, The Coach’s Assistant
Shaun McCreedy is the founder and director of The Coach’s Assistant, an athlete development company dedicated to unlocking potential through tailored, high-performance support. With over a decade of experience across elite and community sport, Shaun brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and passion to every athlete he works with.
From 2022 to 2024, Shaun served as the Assistant Coach for the NSW Waratahs Super W team, contributing to the development of some of Australia's top female rugby talent. Alongside this, he has held a pivotal role with NSW Rugby Union (NSWRU) for the past 3.5 years, focused on development pathways and coach education.
Shaun's coaching credentials are extensive. He was the NSWRU Men’s Country Head Coach for three years, following a three-year stint as Assistant Coach. From 2015 to 2019, he also held the position of Senior Director of Coaching for Illawarra District Rugby Union’s senior representative program. Under his guidance, Illawarra secured three NSW Country Championship titles, lifting the prestigious Caldwell Cup in 2015, 2016, and 2018.
Driven by a passion for holistic athlete development, Shaun is committed to creating inclusive, high-performance environments that empower athletes to thrive—not only through technical excellence, but also through building confidence, resilience, and the mindset needed to succeed both on and off the field. He believes that high-level coaching and support should be accessible to all athletes, not just those in professional systems.
Shaun currently holds the highest coaching accreditation in rugby—an Australian Rugby Union and World Rugby Level 4 High Performance Coaching Certificate. He is also a qualified Level 1 Strength and Conditioning Coach through the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA), and is currently undertaking a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science to further expand his knowledge and expertise.
Dr Evan Poata-Smith – Co-Founder & Director, The Coach’s Assistant
Dr Evan Poata-Smith is a co-founder and director of The Coach’s Assistant, bringing a unique blend of academic expertise and practical coaching experience to the company’s holistic approach to athlete development. With over two decades of teaching and research experience across universities in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, Evan combines analytical insight with a deep understanding of athlete progression and performance.
Evan is passionate about supporting young athletes through critical transitions—from junior to senior levels, and into high-performance environments. His coaching philosophy centers on empowering athletes to take ownership of their development, fostering not only physical performance but also personal growth and long-term resilience beyond sport.
From 2018 to 2020, Evan served as Head Coach of the Illawarra Colts (U19) representative rugby side and also contributed as a specialist scrum coach for the Illawarra senior representative program. He has coached at both junior and senior club levels in Auckland and Wollongong, gaining extensive experience in developing players at all stages of their sporting journey.
Evan currently holds an Australian Rugby Union and World Rugby Level 2 Coaching Certificate and is in the process of completing his Level 1 Strength and Conditioning Accreditation through the Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA).
Aiden Flinn – Trainer, The Coach’s Assistant
Aidan is a coach and trainer at The Coach’s Assistant, working with athletes across a range of sports who are serious about pushing their performance. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science from the University of Wollongong and over a year of hands-on coaching experience, he brings both knowledge and a genuine passion for helping athletes train with purpose. He’s worked with everyone from beginner athletes to academy-level players. His experience in gyms throughout Wollongong providing personal training as well as expertise in sprint coaching at Beaton Park has added professional skills to his educated approach. Whether it’s in the gym or on the track, Aidan takes pride in bringing out the best in each athlete.
Aidan’s coaching philosophy is rooted in evidence-based practice and individualised programming. He’s committed to creating an environment where every athlete feels valued, supported, and motivated to reach their physical and mental potential. Known for his energetic and casual coaching style, Aidan balances hard work with a supportive environment that keeps athletes engaged and always progressing. His experience working with athletes from a wide range of sports - including netball, athletics, rugby, basketball, gridiron, and more - gives him a well-rounded skill set to meet each athlete's unique needs. Aidan also brings 10+ years of experience playing semi-professional football as a goalkeeper in NPL leagues along the coast. His time in high-performance environments has shaped his approach to coaching, giving him a strong understanding of the standards and demands required to consistently perform at a high level.
Aidan has a deep passion for sport and is committed to being a positive part of each athlete’s journey. He brings high energy and genuine care to every session, aiming to create an environment that not only drives performance but leaves a lasting impact on the individual. Beyond just performance, Aidan takes pride in helping young athletes build confidence, discipline, and create good habits that carry through into their sport and life.