Veteran gymnastics coach fined after assaulting two teenage athletes
Long-time coach Jamie Glen Cannon pleaded guilty to four counts of common assault on two female teens and was fined $2,500 with $1,000 compensation to each victim, without a conviction.
Jamie Glen Cannon, a senior gymnastics coach with over 30 years of service at clubs on the Sunshine Coast, in Cairns and at Brisbane Grammar School, pleaded guilty to four common-assault offences against two teenage female athletes aged between 13 and 16. The court heard that Cannon touched a 13-year-old’s bottom during a handstand drill and repeatedly placed his hands on the inner thigh, knee and leg of a 15-year-old, despite the girls’ clear boundaries.
Crown prosecutor Alex Stark described the conduct as a breach of professional and personal trust, while Judge Amanda McDonnell accepted that there was no sexual intent but emphasized the inappropriate familiarity. Cannon was fined $2,500 and ordered to pay $1,000 to each victim as compensation, with no conviction recorded. The 15-year-old’s impact statement said the abuse caused her to quit gymnastics, disrupted sleep and strained friendships.
Cannon’s lawyer Ambyr Cousen highlighted his long-standing involvement with Gymnastics Queensland, including an individual service award, and submitted character references. He has not been involved in the sport since the allegations.
Why it matters
The case highlights the need for safeguarding and accountability in youth sports.
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