Netball - Coaches

Simone McKinnis OAM - Head Coach

Simone McKinnis
As one of the greatest Australian netballers of the 1990's, Simone McKinnis has quickly gained a reputation as an outstanding educator of the game. With an intimate knowledge of Australia's elite netball pathways, she is well placed to lead the AIS scholarship program as head coach.

After representing Australia in 67 tests between 1986 and 1998, her credentials as a player include winning the inaugural Commonwealth Games gold medal in 1998 and two World Championships in 1995 and 1991. She was also the captain of the Melbourne Phoenix in 1997 and 1998 in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy, winning the premiership in 1997.

Since turning her hand to coaching, McKinnis spent two years as assistant coach of the Melbourne Phoenix and three years as head coach of the Singapore Sports School Netball Academy, which provides a training environment for talented young athletes to develop their skills and compete at the international level.


Sue Gaudion - Coach

Sue provides centre court coaching expertise to the AIS Netball coaching group and works closely with the Head Coach Simone McKinnis in the day-to-day coaching, management and long-term development of the AIS Squad.

Sue is a former ANZ Championship coach with a wealth of experience, having played with Australian Junior Squads for several years and at national level. Sue was also an AIS scholarship holder in 1989 and coached Singapore at the 1999 World Championships in New Zealand, as well as in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy with Perth Orioles and West Coast Fever in the ANZ Championships in 2008.

Sue recently moved back to Australia after coaching the Celtic Dragons in the Welsh Superleague.


Nicole Cusack - Scholarship Coach

A former AIS scholarship holder (1984-85), Nicole Cusack has first-hand experience of life at the AIS and of representing her country at the highest level. Cusack played 52 tests for Australia (1989-98) which included winning a world championship in 1995 and a Commonwealth Games gold medal in 1998.

With so much experience and knowledge, Cusack commenced a part-time coaching career, taking a big step forward when she was appointed assistant coach of the Australian team that won the 2007 World Championships.


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Did you know?

Australia is one of only two nations to have competed in every modern Summer Olympic Games.

Quick numbers

700 athlete scholarships are offered annually at the AIS.
263 current and former AIS athletes competed at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
142 Olympic medals have been won by athletes from the AIS since its establishment.
40 thousand kilometres were swum by Petria Thomas while at the AIS.
1 million people visit the AIS each year.
More ASC statistics