Meet The Sapphire Team
Garry Pashen - Coach
Garry Pashen has had over 25 years’ experience as an umpire, administrator, player and coach. An early interest in the rules of the sport first led him to gaining a National B umpire accreditation, and then a few years as a representative and state league umpire. This interest grew to both playing men’s and mixed netball socially and competitively, as well as leading Garry towards the coaching pathway.
More recently, Garry has spent the last 4 years as a selector for the U17/U19 Netball Queensland State Teams, as well as 2 years as Assistant Coach for the QLD Fusion within the Australian Netball League. His latest appointment as USC Thunder Head Coach sees an ongoing Netball career come full circle, to once again be representing the Sunshine Coast region as the inaugural coach within the Sapphire Series – a new and innovative state league format.
Bernie Toohey - Team Manager
Bio Coming Soon
Sienna Allen
Height: 191cm
Positions: GK
Junior club: North Gambier Netball Club
Sienna is a Goal Keeper from Mount Gambia in South Australia. She enjoys cooking, the outdoors, and spending time with her friends and family. Sienna has a mobile training business on the Sunshine Coast that keeps her busy when she isn’t playing netball. Sienna considers herself hard working, caring and disciplined. Sienna is a massive fan of comedy, particularly Carl Barron. She also loves mangos, travelling to Noosa, and admires NFL legend Tom Brady.
Ellie Bird
Bio coming soon
Lily-May Catling
Height: 179cm
Positions: GD, GK, WD
Junior Club: Bournemouth Junior Netball Club
Lily-May grew up playing netball in England hoping that she could one day come to Australia and play the sport she loves here. At age 19, she moved to Queensland and gave up netball to focus on her new life. But now, thanks to USC Thunder, Lily-May gets a second chance and the opportunity to realise her dream. Lily-May is excited to be involved with the inaugural USC Thunder team and says she can feel the buzz that is being generated from this new venture. Lily-May not only gains her inspiration from former Sunshine Coast Lightning star, current England international player and home town hero Geva Mentor, but also from the thousands of other women around the world who choose to play netball every week rain, hail, or shine. Lily-May’s personal mantra in life is “Nothing ventured, nothing gained”.
Nicole Guenther
Height: 175cm
Positions: C, WD
Junior club: Wamuran Warriors
Nicole sees playing for the USC Thunder as an incredible comeback for herself. In 2018, Nicole tore her ACL and meniscus at the national netball competition and then got three blood clots. Being able to recover from those injures and play for the Thunder means a return to the team culture that she loves. She also sees it as an opportunity to learn and grow into the best player that she can be. Nicole is a creative and ambitious person and lives by the motto “Success trains, failure complains”. As a sports fan, Nicole most admires Sunshine Coast Lightning stars Laura Scherian and Laura Langman. Outside of netball, Nicole is studying graphic design at USC while working at Sportfirst, a sports retail store.
Josie Hungerford
Height: 165cm
Position: WA, C
Junior Club: Angels
Josephine has always held herself to a high standard in her personal life and her sporting career. In 2011, at only 14 years of age, Josephine was the youngest player in the under 17 Queensland team that competed at the National Netball Championships in Logan. At age 15, she chose to give up another sport, water polo, in order to further her netballing aspirations. Unfortunately, Josephine has spent three years away from netball after having two knee reconstructions in two years. This time away from the sport has reinvigorated her love for the game and her desire to be a part of a team. Josephine couldn’t be happier to be back playing netball with the USC Thunder.
Chloe Litherland
Height: 173cm
Position: WD, C
Junior club: Burpengary Jets
Chloe started playing netball in Caboolture when she was only 8 years old. She is excited to be involved in the inaugural USC Thunder team as it gives her an opportunity to give back to the region that has provided her with so many opportunities. Chloe already has a connection with the Thunder in that some of her fellow team mates have been sharing a court with her since she was as young as 12. Currently Chloe is teaching high school HPE, Science and Maths in Brisbane and one day wants to go back to university to complete her Masters. Outside of netball, Chloe also enjoys playing Australian rules football and touch football, loves watching The Office, and doesn’t mind a trip to the beach.
Ashlee Unie
Height: 180cm
Position: WD, GD
Junior club: Buderim Firebirds
Ash Unie grew up on the Sunshine Coast, completing all her schooling in Buderim before studying physiotherapy. She learned to play netball on the old courts at Elizabeth Daniels Park. Ash lives and breathes the Sunshine Coast and netball, and that’s why playing for USC Thunder means so much to her. Ash has already spent time as a training partner with the Sunshine Coast Lightning and is excited about taking those skills on to the court with the Thunder. It’s a step she hopes will allow her to pursue her netballing dreams. Outside of netball, Ash is putting her university degree to good work as a practicing physiotherapist.
Jesse Wardlaw
Height: 187cm
Position: GS
Junior Club: Daisy Hill Netball Club
Jesse is a 19-year-old Goal Shooter from Auckland, New Zealand. She loves the traditional Maori dish, Hangi, but is also fascinated by Japan and Japanese culture. Jesse wishes she was able to sing and dance well and loves the classic movie Forest Gump. Jesse most admires Australian netball and AFLW star Ashleigh Brazill, who plays both sports for the Collingwood Magpies. She is also inspired by hulking Hollywood megastar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. When asked to describe herself in three words, Jesse said she was sleepy, hungry, and freckly. When she isn’t playing netball, Jesse is either working, eating, or playing AFLW.
Sarahpheinna Woulf
Height: 182cm
Positions: GD, GK, GA, GS, WD
Junior Club: All Stars
Early last year, Sarahpheinna had an incredible opportunity to sign with the Sunshine Coast Lightning when she was only 17 years old. Unfortunately, during a practice match between the QLD U17 and QLD U19 state sides, Sarahpheinna tore her ACL and meniscus and subsequently missed out on that chance. USC Thunder represents a brand-new opportunity for Sarahpheinna to play competitive netball again and she is excited to be a member of the inaugural side. When Sarahpheinna isn’t on the netball courts she will either be at USC studying for her Bachelor of Sports studies, at church, or playing Oztag, volleyball, or basketball. Sarahpheinna’s favourite quote is from Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Sarahpheinna most admires former Australian netball representative Mo’onia Gerrard, and former NRL star and aspiring NFL player Valentine Holmes.
Abigail Latu-Meafou
Bio Coming Soon