San Diego Country Estates’ Own Australian Football Coach Helps Advance the Game Across San Diego

Michael Raher, an SDCE resident for 23 years and owner of Ramona Home Journal, now also coaches the San Diego Lions Australian Football Club. “It’s all happened within the last 30 days,” says Raher. Raher played Australian football from when he was a kid until he was 27. He coached in 2003 and took a break when his kids were born. The club recently reached out to him to be their new coach.

The inspiration to get back into coaching came from his wife, Laurie. Their kids—Noah, 22, and Jacob, 20—are grown and moved out, and when the team asked him to coach, he had doubts about having enough time to commit. Laurie was supportive and encouraged him to go for it, reassuring him that it would be fantastic.

Coaching seems to run in the family. His son Jacob is already making his mark in the football world. Jacob is a sophomore at the University of Oregon and serves as an Undergraduate Defensive Coaching Assistant for the Oregon Ducks football team. According to Michael, Jacob played Pop Warner in Ramona, and when he was offered a coaching position, he jumped at the opportunity.

“I really like the club atmosphere,” says Raher. Players’ ages range from 18 to 32, and older guys in their 40s and 50s come and support the team. The team consists of Australian players and American players, with an even split last year. He enjoys being able to introduce folks from the US to Australian Football and feels blessed to have American players. He really likes seeing the development of Australian Football and teaching his players the sport. 

Australian Football blends the best elements of soccer, rugby, and basketball into one fast-paced, exhilarating game. The game is played with no helmets or padding and is like schoolyard keep-away. The scores are made at the end of the field, with one goal equaling six points. In a game, about 24 players rotate in and out, with 18 on the field.

The club practices at UTC's Nobel Athletic Area, and home games are also held there. They play games across the West Coast and have won regional titles as well as a recent national title win in Tampa, Florida. Many of his players have gone on to play at the national level. There is also a Women’s Team, and they are very good.

The team practices twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday, and the games are on Saturdays. In 2026, they will have pre-season practices on Saturdays and do skill work and fitness training to get everyone back in shape after the holidays. The season starts in April with games on the weekends.

Australian football has a way of bringing people together. The San Diego Lions Australian Football Club is one of the most established Australian football clubs in the United States and has built a strong reputation for community, inclusivity, and passion for the sport. Coach Michael Raher embodies all of that. Whether he is coaching a tight drill session, taking a new player through their first kick, or cheering from the sidelines, he carries forward the club’s mission to grow the game and build a welcoming footy family in Southern California. 

For more info about the club, visit their website at www.sandiegolions.com or follow them on Facebook and Instagram. 

Photos courtesy of Michael Raher.