Welcome Damian Shanahan
Baseball Queensland is pleased to announce the appointment of Damian Shanahan as the organisation’s new Performance Program Manager, bringing more than 25 years of high-performance baseball leadership and athlete development experience to Queensland baseball.
Damian joins Baseball Queensland with an extensive background across state, national, and international baseball environments, where he has built a reputation as one of Australia’s most respected pathway and high-performance leaders. His experience spans athlete and coach development, talent identification, program management, sports science integration, and elite team coaching.
Building Stronger Pathways for Queensland Athletes
Most recently, Damian served as High Performance Manager with Baseball Victoria, where he designed and delivered multi-tiered athlete development pathways aligned to national frameworks.
In the role, he oversaw Victorian state team programs across both male and female pathways, coordinated technical and sports science support services, mentored coaches, and helped guide athletes towards collegiate, national, and professional opportunities.
Damian also previously held leadership positions with Victorian Institute of Sport and ACT Academy of Sport, contributing to integrated high-performance systems and long-term athlete and coach development programs.
His appointment strengthens Baseball Queensland’s ongoing commitment to creating sustainable development pathways that support athletes and coaches across metropolitan and regional Queensland.
Extensive National and Professional Baseball Experience
Damian’s impact on Australian baseball extends well beyond state programs. Since 2001, he has served as a National Team Coach for Australian youth and senior teams, while also working as an Assistant Coach with Melbourne Aces from 2010 to 2024.
His professional baseball experience also includes two decades as a scout with San Diego Padres, alongside involvement in MLB Australian Academy programs and coaching roles across Australian and international professional baseball environments.
Damian’s qualifications include a Graduate Diploma of Sports Coaching from The University of Queensland and a Bachelor of Applied Science (Physical Education) from Victoria University.
He also brings extensive experience integrating modern performance technologies including Driveline, Rapsodo, Blast Motion, Pitch AI, and athlete monitoring systems into athlete development environments.
A Vision for Sustainable Development
In his application for the role, Damian highlighted his passion for building sustainable, inclusive, and high-performing pathways aligned with Baseball Queensland’s vision of a club-centric and regionally supported development model.
He also emphasised the importance of evidence-based practice, innovation, and collaboration in creating long-term success for athletes and coaches across the state.
CEO Gareth Jones Welcomes Appointment
Baseball Queensland CEO Gareth Jones said Damian’s appointment represents an exciting step forward for the organisation’s performance and pathway programs.
“Damian brings an outstanding depth of experience across all levels of the game,” Jones said.
“His background in pathway leadership, coach development, talent identification, and elite performance environments will provide enormous value to our athletes, coaches, clubs, and regions across Queensland.
“Importantly, Damian also shares Baseball Queensland’s vision for building sustainable and connected development pathways that support participation and excellence throughout the state.”
Baseball Queensland would also like to sincerely thank Nick Bachono for his leadership and dedication while serving in the Performance Program Manager role in an interim capacity.
Nick’s professionalism and commitment to athlete and pathway development have been greatly valued throughout the transition period, and he will continue to play an important role within the organisation as Pathway Program Coordinator, delivering programs that provide the entry point into Baseball Queensland’s performance pathways.
Winter High Performance Programs Underway
As Damian joins the organisation, Baseball Queensland’s winter high performance programs are already underway, with athletes across the state participating in an intensive 20-week development program combining gym and on-field training.
The program focuses on developing strong athletic baselines, improving movement efficiency, and reducing injury risk while preparing athletes for future representative opportunities.
Athletes within the Performance Squad were selected by Baseball Australia, while players within the State Development Squad, Women’s Development Squad, and Elite Squad were nominated through their regions, highlighting the strength of Queensland’s regional pathway network.
Looking Ahead
Damian’s appointment marks an exciting opportunity for Baseball Queensland as the organisation continues to strengthen player development, coach education, and performance opportunities for athletes throughout Queensland.
With extensive experience across elite baseball environments and a strong commitment to long-term athlete development, Damian will play a key role in shaping the future of Queensland baseball pathways for years to come.