Meet Our Team
Mat Lynch
Mat Lynch is Ronin Jiu Jitsu Newcastle’s Head Coach and one of the team’s most accomplished competitors. A Black Belt, Mat’s achievements include World Police & Fire Games Black Belt Gi gold and Advanced No-Gi silver, ADCC NSW Professional 83kg gold, ADCC Nationals Professional bronze and multiple Grappling Industries titles across Black and Brown Belt divisions. He brings that depth of competition experience into his coaching, helping students develop technical, effective Jiu Jitsu that performs under pressure.
Matt Clarke
Matt Clarke is an experienced competitor and coach with an extensive record across No-Gi, superfights and submission grappling. His achievements include winning superfights at Subversion and Arcane, becoming an ADCC State Champion and NSWBJJ State Champion, and taking gold multiple times in Grappling Industries Advanced divisions. Matt is also an Australian Open Absolute Division cash winner, demonstrating his ability against high-level competition across weight classes. He brings that competition-tested experience to his coaching, with a focus on technical, modern Jiu Jitsu and helping students develop confidence in high-pressure situations.
Beau Meehan is a coach at Ronin Jiu Jitsu who is passionate about helping people get the most out of their time on the mats. He brings a thoughtful and approachable style to coaching, with a focus on building strong fundamentals, understanding the reasons behind each technique and creating a training environment where everyone can improve. Beau is particularly committed to the team culture at Ronin and making Jiu Jitsu enjoyable and accessible for students of all levels.
Beau Meehan
James Wilson is a Black Belt and experienced No-Gi competitor with a strong technical and strategic approach to Jiu Jitsu. A top 16 ADCC trials competitor, James has also won and medalled in the advanced divisions at Jiujiteiros and Grappling Industries. His coaching focuses on helping students connect positions into clear systems and make better decisions under pressure.
James Wilson
Sandro Pirillo
Sandro Pirillo is a Brown Belt coach and active competitor with a strong record across ADCC, AFBJJ and submission grappling events. His achievements include bronze at the ADCC Australian National Titles, Central Coast Open Purple Belt 85kg gold and open-weight silver, Jiujiteiros Intermediate No-Gi 77kg gold, a Grapplemania superfight victory and AFBJJ NSW State Championship silver at Blue Belt. Sandro brings plenty of energy to the mats and enjoys helping students turn strong fundamentals into confident, effective Jiu Jitsu.
Aiden O’Brien
Aiden O’Brien is a Black Belt and accomplished No-Gi competitor whose results span some of the region’s toughest divisions. His achievements include ADCC NSW Professional 83kg silver, the BJJ Autumn Australian Open Brown/Black Belt No-Gi Absolute title, a Grapplemania superfight victory and Grappling Industries championships at both Advanced and Black Belt level. Aiden brings a direct, high-level approach to coaching, helping students develop Jiu Jitsu that is technically sound and effective under competition pressure.
Rhys Tullock is one of Ronin Jiu Jitsu Newcastle’s Fundamentals Coaches, helping newer students build a strong technical base and confidence on the mats. Rhys brings a clear, practical approach to coaching, with a focus on understanding key positions, developing good habits and making Jiu Jitsu easier to learn. His supportive coaching style helps beginners settle in quickly, improve their movement and build the foundations needed for long-term progression.
Rhys Tullock
Riley Dodd is one of Ronin Jiu Jitsu’s Kids Coaches and is passionate about helping young students learn, grow and enjoy their time on the mats. Riley brings an energetic and encouraging approach to coaching, with a focus on building confidence, discipline, coordination and strong Jiu Jitsu fundamentals. His goal is to create a positive environment where kids can challenge themselves, have fun and develop skills that extend well beyond the gym.