In 2022, the UniSC Paralympic and Olympic swim program was formally confirmed as one of the Swimming Australia High Performance Hubs supported by the Queensland Academy of Sport.
Our approach
The QAS Performance Support Team have been selected to operate as an autonomous group of experts who collectively oversee and manage the swimmers' welfare and performance.
All Performance Support Team members regularly attend training sessions and engage with coaches and each other on the pool deck and in the gym. This is a crucial ingredient of working at UniSC Spartans, ensuring that all Performance Support Team members continually communicate with coaches, swimmers, and other staff about the athletes' and the program's needs. All Performance Support Team members have a voice, and all are encouraged to develop ideas and be innovative, with improved performance being the required outcome.
All Performance Support Team members are registered service providers with QAS and Swimming Australia and maintain this compliance through regular upskilling and additional research and study.
Our teams
Head Coach
Michael Sage #C120 Performance Coach - Silver License
- 2025 SWIM Coaches & Teachers Australia (SCTA) Coach of the Year
Assistant Coach
Justin Bell
Squad Roster
- Abbey Connor -Dolphin #821
- Alexandria Perkins -Dolphin #838
- Kaylee McKeown -Dolphin #786
- Thomas Nowakowski - Dolphin #829
- Bella Grant
- Elloise Doolan
- Caitlyn Ribbons
- Joshua Moore
- Lucy Dring
- Matthew Lamb
- Sophie Mayes
- Zac Tabuai
Head Coach
Harley Connolly #C99
Assistant Coach
Casey Atkins #C153 Advanced Coach - BClinExPhys(Hons) AEP AES
Squad Roster
- Brenden Hall - Paradolphin #P246
- Emily Beecroft - Paradolphin #P289
- Jenna Jones - Paradolphin #P292
- Lakeisha Patterson - Paradolphin #P282
- Paige Leonhardt - Paradolphin #P293
- Poppy Wilson -Paradolphin #P324
- Ricky Betar - Paradolphin #P303
- Ruby Storm - Paradolphin #P311
- Kael Thompson
- Montana Atkinson
Sunshine Coast Hub Manager
Dr Danielle Doyle - PhD ASpS2 AHPM
Senior Sports Scientist (Physiology)
Dr Katie Verdejo - PhD ASpS2 (on maternity leave)
Senior Movement Scientist
Ryan Hodierne - BA Hons ASpS2
Senior Physiotherapist
Russell Smallwood - BPhty
Senior Strength & Conditioning Coach
Dr Mark McKean - PhD ASCA-ML3 ASpS2 AEP
Physiotherapists
Dean Sullivan - BHS MPhty St MACP
Jess Turnbull - BS (Biol) MPhty
Physiologist
Lachlan Kerin - BCom Gradcert (data analytics) MSpExSc
Medical
Dr Mel Wright - BS (biomed) BMedSc MBA MD
Dietitian
Steph Cronin - BNutrDiet APD AdvSD (on maternity Leave)
Ali Miles - BSc (biochem), GradDip (sports nutrition), MNutrDiet
Psychology
Wendy Swift - BA Hons(Psych) MPsych(Sport & Exercise)
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Adam Robertshaw - BSpExSc ASCA-PL2
UniSC Spartans history
Paralympic swimming program
The Paralympic program commenced in August 2011 to prepare for the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Coach Jon Shaw was the inaugural Head Paralympic Coach, and six swimmers were in the program. Over the next few months, three more swimmers joined the program, making nine swimmers heading to the London games.
In 2013, Jan Cameron took over as head coach of the USC Spartans program. Jan took the team to the Rio Paralympics 2016
In 2017, Nathan Doyle took over as head coach when Jan was promoted to National Paralympic coach mentor. Sadly, in 2018, Jan passed away, and this was a tough time for all Spartans members as Jan was a driving force in establishing the Spartans, building the program, and setting the standard for performance.Nathan took the team to the Tokyo Paralympics 2021.
In 2022, the UniSC program was formally confirmed as one of the Swimming Australia High-Performance Hubs supported by the Queensland Academy of Sport. Harley Connolly was appointed the Head Coach and took the team to the Paris Paralympic Games 2024.
Olympic swimming program
The Olympic swim program commenced in 2015 with inaugural Head Coach Chris Mooney and a squad of six swimmers. Chris took the team to the Rio Olympic Games 2016 and Tokyo 2021.
In 2022, the UniSC program was formally confirmed as one of the Swimming Australia High-Performance Hubs supported by the Queensland Academy of Sport. Michael Palfery was appointed as the Head Coach. Mick took the team to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
In 2024, Michael Sage, previously assistant Coach to Michael Palfery, took over as Head Coach.
Blake Cochrane, 2018 Commonwealth Games, silver 200m IM, bronze 100m Breaststroke
Jake Templeton, 2018 Pan Pacific Para Championships- silver 100m backstroke, silver 400m freestyle, bronze 200 IM,
Jake Packard, 2018 Commonwealth Games, Gold and Games 4x100m Medley Relay
Braedan Jason, 2018 Pan Pacific Para Championships, gold 400m freestyle, gold 100m freestyle, gold 50m freestyle