Queensland Suns Confirm 2027 Head Coach Appointments

Grace-Adele Willis, 21 Sep 2026

The Queensland Suns are proud to confirm four Head Coach appointments for the 2027 campaign, bringing together an exciting combination of elite-level experience, proven success and a shared commitment to developing Queensland’s men’s and mixed athletes.

Jenny Brazel will lead the Open Men, Garry Pashen will continue at the helm of Open Mixed, Gavin Clarke has been appointed Head Coach of the 20 & Under Men, and Craig Brown will return to lead the 17 & Under Men.

Together, the appointments represent another important step towards creating a more connected and professional Suns pathway—from Queensland’s emerging talent through to the senior program.

The Men’s A Head Coach appointment is currently being finalised, with a clear focus on strengthening alignment between Men’s A and the Open Men’s program. Remaining Assistant Coach appointments are also being worked through and will be announced as they are confirmed.

Open Men — Jenny Brazel

As previously announced, highly credentialled elite coach Jenny Brazel will lead the Queensland Suns Open Men in 2027.

Jenny brings more than 20 years of coaching experience across international netball, Suncorp Super Netball and the Queensland pathways. Her career includes roles with the Fijian Pearls, Queensland Firebirds, Sunshine Coast Lightning, Queensland Fusion and North Queensland Elite Development Program.

Her appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the Open Men’s program, combining high-performance standards with a coaching philosophy grounded in trust, respect and genuine care for athletes.

Open Mixed — Garry Pashen

Garry Pashen will continue as Head Coach of the Queensland Suns Open Mixed team, bringing almost three decades of experience within the Suns program.

Garry first represented Queensland at Under 21 level in 1995 before progressing through Open Reserves and into the Open Men’s team. His decorated playing career included multiple national championships, followed by a successful transition into coaching.

He served as Open Men’s Head Coach from 2019 to 2023, guiding Queensland to the national championship in his first year, before returning as an Open Men’s Assistant Coach in 2025 and taking charge of Open Mixed in 2026.

Garry’s deep understanding of the Suns, extensive national experience and ability to develop and connect athletes will provide valuable continuity for the Open Mixed program.

20 & Under Men — Gavin Clarke

Gavin Clarke has been appointed Head Coach of the Queensland Suns 20 & Under Men.

An Elite Coach accredited coach, Gavin is part of a select group to have achieved one of Australia’s highest levels of netball coaching accreditation. The recognition reflects his extensive practical experience, advanced coaching knowledge and continued commitment to professional development.

Gavin also led the Queensland Suns 23 & Under team and served as Assistant Coach of the Open Men before being appointed to lead Queensland’s 19 & Under team at the 2026 National Netball Championships.

His experience across emerging and senior programs creates an important connection within the Suns pathway as he prepares the next generation of athletes for the demands of national competition and future progression.

17 & Under Men — Craig Brown

Craig Brown will return as Head Coach of the Queensland Suns 17 & Under Men following another outstanding campaign.

A back-to-back Queensland Suns Coach of the Year, Craig has led the 17 & Under Men to consecutive national grand finals and has played an instrumental role in developing the next generation of Suns athletes.

Craig is also one of the driving forces behind the Rising Suns Academy, helping to create more opportunities for young athletes to develop their skills, understand the expectations of representative netball and build a genuine pathway into the Queensland Suns program.

His continued leadership provides valuable consistency for the 17 & Under program as it prepares for the 2027 campaign.

One Program. One Pathway. One Suns.

Together, these four Head Coaches will help drive a more connected approach across the Queensland Suns program—sharing knowledge, strengthening athlete development and building consistent standards across age groups and divisions.

Each brings different experience and strengths, but they share a commitment to developing athletes, strengthening team culture and continuing to move the Suns program forward.

Congratulations to Jenny, Garry, Gavin and Craig on their appointments. We look forward to seeing what they and their teams build in 2027.