Chris Aho is the Co-Founding Director of Iron Armour Academy, with the vision identified when he was a Youth Leader at Inspire Church in 2006. This is where Chris developed a passion for wanting to help athletes to become the best, not only on the field but off the field. Through his time at Inspire Church, ‘Christ in Athletes’ was formed (a group of 30 young men, aspiring athletes sharing the word of God), becoming a stepping stone to what we now call ‘Iron Armour Academy’.

Growing up in NZ, Chris was trained and prepared for the ‘game of rugby’. It wasn’t until moving to Australia as a 21 year old with no money, only a bag of clothes, rugby boots and an address, where he learned to become independent. He was able to endure living without food, homesickness and other adversities by always knowing that coming to Australia was more than just Rugby, but to find himself and his purpose. After 8 months, with the support from his mentors, was able to find God and prepare himself for the ‘game of life’ – something most players don’t get taught, but something he became passionate to share.

His rugby career, work experience and ultimately the passion to serve God and share the Good News, have been the driving factors to building up an organisation to help stand in the gap for young athletes today.

Since moving to Melbourne, Chris reconnected with now fellow IAA founders Marcell Putaura and Tia Suemai, (whom he knew back in NZ through Rugby and School), where he found that they too were interested in seeing this vision come to pass, blessed that they wanted to also come on board to support the cause. 

Together with Marcell & Tia, and alongside his wife, Rochell Aho, also a director, Iron Armour Academy was established in 2013.

Tia Suemai has since moved on from Iron Armour into Charis Mentoring but still makes regular appearances at the Academy.

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Iron Armour Academy is now moving from strength to strength with the foundations built on the Rock that is Jesus Christ – the heart that is, to mentor and equip these young athletes so that they too build relationship with Jesus and to ‘shine the light’ wherever they may be, on and off the field.