Rhys Tippett, originally from Australia, was an Exeter City trainee between 2001 and 2003 and was twice voted 'young clubman of the year' during his time with the Grecians. He later returned to Australia where he continued to play football. 

He had moved to Britain at the age of six and joined City's youth set-up at the age of twelve prior to becoming a trainee at sixteen. Not retained at the age of eighteen, he played for Exmouth Town and Quorn in Leicestershire. Moving back to Australia in the early days of the new professional league, he hoped to win an under-20 contract with one of the clubs in New South Wales. When that didn't materialise he played for a number of teams in northern New South Wales including Old Bar Barbarians, Weston, Broadmeadow Magic, Lambton Jaffas and Kahibah whilst studying at university and becoming an accountant in Newcastle, NSW. 

Interviewed many years after his time at Exeter for the website of Northern NSW Football, the governing body for the sport in the Newcastle area, he had memories of Exeter City: 

"A memorable moment was playing for Exeter City in the FA Youth Cup third round at Vicarage Road and beating Watford 2-0. We went on to play Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park and got smashed 6-0.

When it comes to influential people in my career two people come to mind. Eamonn Dolan was a coach I had from 12 to 18 and he ended up being one of the UK’s best academy coaches bringing through players like Shane Long. 

The second would be Mike Radford. He is an Exeter legend. I remember him being a coach who always demanded the best from you, he was a big part of shaping me not only as a player but as a person too. The best coaches care about your football development but your personal development too, and Raddy was a coach that always looked after both."