3
Apr
WNBL27
'Return of the Mac': Sam back in Melbourne to coach Flyers
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Sam Mackinnon, during his time as interim head coach of the Phoenix, reacts during the round six NBL match between New Zealand Breakers and South East Melbourne Phoenix at Wolfbrook Arena, on October 24, 2024, in Christchurch, New Zealand. Photo: Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images
Sam Mackinnon takes over Southside Flyers, replacing Kristi Harrower ahead of WNBL27.
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Melbourne 49-year-old Sam Mackinnon is the new head coach of the WNBL’s Southside Melbourne Flyers.
“I’m incredibly honoured to join the Southside Melbourne Flyers,” Mackinnon said.
“This club has a proud history and plays a significant role in Australian basketball.
“The opportunity to work with Gerry Ryan, who has been such a passionate supporter of women’s basketball for many years, is incredibly exciting.
“I’m looking forward to working closely with our athletes to build a strong, competitive culture and to deliver success for our Flyers fans.”
Two-time NBL champion and Australian Boomers gold medallist Mackinnon secured the role less than two weeks after the Flyers decided not to renew former Australian Opals and WNBA star Kristi Harrower’s contract for WNBL27.
“We are thrilled to welcome Sam to the Flyers,” owner Gerry Ryan said.
“His distinguished playing career and extensive coaching experience bring outstanding leadership and a proven ability to build strong teams.
“He will drive a high-performance culture, sharing our vision to deliver both team success and the individual growth of our athletes, on and off the court.”
Mackinnon has a near-full off-season to build a roster around Australian Opals veteran Cayla George, who led the Flyers to a Game 3 against eventual WNBL26 champions Townsville Fire in the semi-finals in late February.
WNBL free agency is imminent.
Sam Mackinnon Career Snapshot
Playing Career (1993–2010)
- North East Melbourne Arrows (1993)
- S.E. Melbourne Magic (1994–1998)
- Townsville Crocodiles (1998–2001)
- West Sydney Razorbacks (2001–2005)
- Brisbane Bullets (2005–2008)
- Basket Rimini Crabs (2006)
- Southern Districts Spartans (2007)
- Melbourne Tigers (2008–2010)
Accolades
- 2× NBL Champion (1996, 2007)
- 3× All-NBL First Team
- NBL Rookie of the Year (1994)
- 2× Gaze Medal
- ABA National Champion (1993)
- Represented Australia – Gold Medal (2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games)
The Transition to Coaching
Mackinnon moved into coaching in 2017, and, as with his playing career, he built it step by step.
- Brisbane Bullets (Assistant, 2017–2020)
- Brisbane Bullets (Interim Head Coach, 2022)
- South East Melbourne Phoenix (Assistant, 2023–2025)
- South East Melbourne Phoenix (Interim, 2024)
- Taranaki Airs (Head Coach, 2024–2025)
- Southside Melbourne Flyers (Head Coach, 2026–present)
Who is Gerry Ryan
Gerry Ryan AO owns the Southside Melbourne Flyers.
- Founder of Jayco
- Major sports investor and philanthropist
- Key figure in Australian cycling, basketball and multiple codes
- Inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame (2024)
Across more than 30 years, he has:
- Funded athletes chasing Olympic dreams
- Built professional teams from scratch
- Supported both men’s and women’s sport — often before it was commercially viable
- Stepped in to stabilise struggling sporting organisations
His philosophy is simple:
Help athletes financially so they can reach their full potential
The Defining Moment
His entry into sport started with one decision:
- Backed cyclist Kathy Watt for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics
- She returned with gold and silver medals.
That moment triggered decades of investment — particularly in cycling.
Building Australian Cycling Power
Ryan became one of the most important figures in Australian cycling:
- Created Australia’s first professional cycling teams
- Backed development pathways through VIS and AIS
- Founded and owned GreenEDGE Cycling Team (World Tour level)
- Helped produce stars like Cadel Evans
He also stepped in financially when the sport needed saving.
Basketball
Ryan has had a significant impact on Australian basketball:
- Early major sponsor of women’s basketball
- Backed the Dandenong Rangers and later took ownership
- Partnered with the Australian Opals through Jayco
He was investing in the women’s game before it had mainstream commercial support.
Broader Sporting Footprint
Ryan’s influence extends across multiple sports:
- Vice-president of St Kilda Football Club
- Part-owner of Melbourne Storm
- Major supporter of the National Jockeys’ Trust
- Melbourne Cup-winning owner (Americain, Rekindling, Twilight Payment)
Honours
- Order of Australia (2000)
- Australian Olympic Committee Order of Merit (2013)
- Cycling Australia Hall of Fame (2015)
- Sport Australia Hall of Fame (2024)
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