Sue Gaudion’s netball journey

Sue Gaudion’s netball journey began in Victoria, where she grew up before becoming a central figure in Western Australian netball.

Although she originally trained as a swimmer, she shifted to netball in her school years and quickly rose through the Victorian system, earning early coaching accreditation as part of the state pathway. This foundation set the stage for a career that would span playing, coaching, commentary, and high performance leadership.

Her coaching career took off when she moved to Western Australia and later accepted a role coaching the Singapore national team — a turning point that confirmed her passion for coaching. After returning to Australia, she coached in the WA State League before becoming the final coach of the Perth Orioles and the inaugural coach of the West Coast Fever when the national competition restructured. Her early coaching years were challenging, but they established her as a resilient and forward thinking leader.

Gaudion’s influence expanded significantly as she took on major high performance roles. She coached the WA 21U team to its first national championship in 33 years and later served as Head Coach at the Australian Institute of Sport and Assistant Coach for the Australian 21U team. These roles positioned her as a key architect in Australia’s elite netball pathways, shaping athletes who would go on to represent the Diamonds and national youth teams.

Beyond coaching, Gaudion became one of the most recognisable voices in Australian netball. As a commentator for Channel 9’s Wide World of Sports, Fox Sports, and other networks, she brought deep tactical insight, humour, and authenticity to broadcasts. Her ability to communicate the game’s nuances made her a trusted voice for fans and a respected figure within the sport’s media landscape.

In recent years, Gaudion also served as General Manager (Pathways and Performance) at West Coast Fever, where she oversaw the club’s high performance systems and helped guide the team to its historic maiden premiership in 2022. Her leadership strengthened WA’s talent pipeline, resulting in more home grown athletes progressing to Fever and national squads — a legacy that will shape the state’s netball future for years to come.

Most recently, Sue Gaudion was honoured with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for her outstanding service to netball, a recognition that reflects decades of contribution across coaching, administration, and media. This award underscores her lifelong passion for giving back — a value she has demonstrated through mentoring young coaches, developing pathways, and championing the sport at every level. Her commitment to nurturing the next generation remains one of her most defining and enduring impacts.