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.
Join us
Interested in joining our High Performance swim program? Complete the online form below to apply.
The QAS UniSC Swimming Hub does not cater for all distances, strokes, or impairments due to limited facility access, lanes, equipment and staffing. Some para-specific impairments are not supported at UniSC, and we will do our best to refer to other programs that may offer more impairment-specific support.
Swimming Australia must approve international applications in accordance with current policy.
The application will be forwarded to Associate Professor Mark McKean from UniSC High Performance Sport for dissemination. All applications and potential candidates will be discussed with the relevant Head Coach, and a response will be provided in due course.
Our teams
Head Coach
Michael Sage #C120 Performance Coach - Silver License
Assistant Coach
Brittany Thomas (nee Elmslie) - Dolphin #717
Categorised swimmers
- Abbey Connor - Dolphin #821
- Alexandria Perkins - Dolphin #838
- Kaylee McKeown - Dolphin #786
- Zac Incerti - Dolphin #784
- Thomas Nowakowski - Dolphin #829
Squad members
- 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
Categorised swimmers
- Brenden Hall - Paradolphin #P246
- Emily Beecroft - Paradolphin #P289
- Jenna Jones - Paradolphin #P292
- Lakeisha Patterson - Paradolphin #P282
- Poppy Wilson - Paradolphin #P324
- Ricky Betar - Paradolphin #P303
- Ruby Storm - Paradolphin #P311
- Will Martin - Paradolphin #P307
Squad members
- Kael Thompson
- Montana Atkinson
Hub Manager
Dr Dani Doyle - PhD ASpS2 AHPM
Senior Sports Scientist (Physiology)
Dr Katie McGibbon - PhD ASpS2
Senior Movement Scientist
Ryan Hodierne - BA Hons
Senior Physiotherapist
Russell Smallwood - BPhty
Physiotherapist
Dean Sullivan - BHSc MPhty St MACP
Medical
Dr Mel Wright - BSc (biomed) BMedSc MBA MD
Dietitian
Steph Cronin - BNutrDiet APD AdvSD
Psychology
Wendy Swift - BA Hons(Psych) MPsych(Sport & Exercise)
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Dr Max McKenzie - PhD ASCA-PL2
Senior Strength & Conditioning Coach
Dr Mark McKean - PhD ASCA-ML3 ASpS2 AEP
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