Speakers Profile - Tracey Menzies










Travels From:
Sydney

Fee Range: E


Since taking over as coach of Australia's number one swimmer Ian Thorpe, Tracey Menzies has helped guide the Thorpedo to two gold, silver and bronze medals at the 2004 Athens Games, seven National Titles and numerous World Championship and Grand Prix wins. Considered a role model among women Tracey was recently named NSW Woman of the Year as part of International Woman's Day.

Following Ian and Tracey's success in Athens, Ian is now Australia's Greatest Ever Olympian and the first man in history to win a medal in the 100m, 200m and 400m freestyle (F) events at a single Olympic Games! At the 2003 World Championships Ian won three gold medals and silver in the 200m Individual Medley (IM) whilst setting a new Commonwealth Record and becoming the fifth fastest man in history - and it was only Ian's third international race in this event ever! Ian also claimed bronze in the 100mF behind Popov and Hoogenband.

Tracey has known Ian since he was five years old when he attended swimming training at Padstow. At the time, Tracey was also a member of Doug Frost's swimming squad, where she specialised in the 200mF and 400mF events for six years. In 1991, Tracey retired from swimming and started teaching art in a full time role at East Hills Boys Technology High (also Ian's school) and full time coaching at Sutherland Leisure Centre. When Doug Frost was appointed head coach at Sutherland in 1996, Tracey continued ‘learn to swim' and was appointed senior assistant to Doug for squad coaching.

In 2002 Ian unexpectedly chose Tracey as his new coach to take charge of the next phase of his swimming career. Tracey had to deal with public expectation of coaching the national treasure and also the critical eye of the swimming fraternity. Tracey achieved wonderful results with Ian and confirmed her status as one of the rising and respected sporting coaches not only in swimming but in the world.

With her unique blend of expertise and personal demeanor Tracey's squad has now extended with other elite swimmers who have admired her style and she is also in demand as a key note speaker and workshop facilitator. Tracey is looking forward to the challenges ahead including 2005 World Championships, Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games and the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.



Major Sport Achievements

2005 - NSW Woman of the Year
International Woman's Day
2004 - Athens Olympic Games

2003 - Barcelona World Championships

2002 - Appointed Head Coach of Ian Thorpe

1996 - Appointed senior assistant to Head Coach Doug Frost, Sutherland Leisure Centre

1994 - Appointed assistant to Head Coach Greg Hodge, Sutherland Leisure Centre

1992 - Retired from swimming & commenced full time art school teaching and swim coaching