Given name: Nikita
Family name: Cuffe
Date of birth: 26 September, 1979 City of birth: Brisbane, Australia
Height: 179cm
Weight: 75kg
Marital status: Single
Home town and State: Brisbane, Queensland
Residence, State and country: Sydney, NSW
Club/team: Sydney University Lions
National League team: Sydney University Lions
Higher education: Ongoing
Degree Course: Complete: B.Business Sport and Event Management
Institution: Griffith University
Occupation: Administration Assistant, NSW Institute of Sport
Co owner fashion label for kids, Benji Design www.benjidesign.com.au
Age when began competing in your sport: 13
Where did you begin competing: School, Brisbane Girls’ Grammar School
Cap number: 3 or 5
Playing position: CF/ CB
Handedness: Right
Major achievements:
1st, FINA World Junior Championships, Messina, 1999
5th, FINA World Championships, Fukuoka, Japan, 2001
1st, Commonwealth Championships, Manchester, England, 2002
7th, FINA World Championships, Barcelona, Spain, 2003
4th, Olympic Games, Athens, Greece, 2004
3rd, FINA World League Super Finals, Kirishi, Russia, 2005
2nd, FINA World Championships, Melbourne, Australia, 2007
3rd, FINA World League Super Finals, Tenerife, Spain, 2008
3rd, Olympic Games, Beijing, China, 2008
Nickname: Keats, Kita
Hobbies: Beach, Movies, Dinner with friends
Any major injuries that have affected your competition: Shoulder surgery– Missed World Championships in Montreal, 2005 Broken Foot(slipped on driveway 2 days before Flight to leave – Missed World Cup in China, 2006
Any other sport played at an international level: No
Any relatives/spouses who have competed internationally: No
If so, who and what sports: No
Any relatives/spouses who are famous internationally: No
What made you choose this sport: It was a team sport that was played in Summer, as played Hockey in Winter.
Who is the most influential person in your sporting career and why: Greg McFadden. He is the current National Team Coach and successful ex player. He encourages individual flare as well as a team work. He has introduced a new passionate team culture that was rejuvenated my determination and motivation to be a member of the team as well as the desire to become one of the best players in the World. If he was not the coach I believe that I would have retired by now.
List any major honours and awards: Captain of National Team, 2006 Member of the Olympic Family, 2004 Reserve for Olympic Team, 2000 MVP and Highest Goal Scorer, National Titles 2002 World Junior Champion, 1999
No of internationals played: 175

Updated 22.09.08