Olympian Leisel Jones pays tribute to the late Ken Wood, who coached her to her first Olympic medal

OLYMPIAN Leisel Jones says she would not be the person she is today had she not had the privilege of being coached by the late Ken Wood.

Coach Ken Wood with swimmer Leisel Jones at Redcliffe pool in 2004. PICTURE: Jamie Hanson

OLYMPIAN Leisel Jones says she would not be the person she is today had she not had the privilege of being coached by the late Ken Wood.

Wood passed away on June 16, aged 88.

He started coaching Jones when she was 13-years-old, at Scarborough, north of Brisbane.

“I had turned up to the Scarborough Pool as a scrawny 13-year-old who was showing some promise as a young breaststroker but really needed a push to reach the next level,” Jones said.

Coach Ken Wood with Olympic swimmers Jessicah Schipper, Geoff Heugill and Leisel Jones, set to head to Athens.

“I had heard a lot about training at Redcliffe Leagues Swimming Club including how tough Ken was as a coach, the level of athletes that trained there and to be honest I was terrified.

“Before I ever stepped foot inside those doors, Ken decided to get some T-shirts made up for his swimmers which read ‘If you can’t run with the big dawgs, stay under the porch’ and one of my main rivals use to wear it. I didn’t know if I was capable enough to train under Ken.

“He took me in and pushed me beyond anything I thought possible. There were strict rules to be allowed to be coached by Ken and you sure as hell abode by them because it was a privilege to be a part of his team and you knew you were going to get results.

“Within about six months of training there, I had already won Age Nationals in Perth and had set a qualifying time for the Sydney Olympic Games. I went to the 2000 Olympic Games trials not thinking that I would even make the team but I did and even went on to win two silver medals at the Olympics as a young 15-year-old.

Ken Wood in his office at the Redcliffe City High Performance Centre. PHOTO: Josh Woning.

“Training under Ken, as everyone will tell you was extremely challenging but he also had a fantastic sense of humour to go with his tough exterior. To those lucky enough to know Ken they were privy to funny (sometimes borderline inappropriate) jokes that would have you in stitches. It was like he almost pulled the jokes out of his back pocket at just the right time. His timing was impeccable.

“On national swimming camps he really enjoyed showing off how much his athletes could do. He particularly loved showing the other breaststroke coaches exactly what he made us do in training except the sessions on camp were always so much harder than what we did at home. We always trained so hard because we wanted to make him proud. He cared so much about us as athletes and hence why he was able to get so much out of us.

“I am so lucky to be coached by Ken. I really wish everyone had a Ken Wood at one point in their lives because he made such a difference to mine.

“I went into Redcliffe Leagues Swimming Club a scared, apprehensive and naive 13-year-old. After training with Ken I came out a tough, brave and tenacious young adult who knew how to take on the world of elite swimming.

Australia's Emily Seebohm, Leisel Jones, Jessicah Schipper and Libby Trickett celebrate their gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Pic. Brett Costello

“There are so many great skills that Ken taught me throughout my career and I hold them very dear to heart now.

“He always told me that: ‘if you weren’t five minutes early … you’re late’, ‘always be kind to the people on the way up because you sure as hell will meet them on the way down’ and that ‘hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard’.

“I am forever grateful to have met and be mentored by Ken through such an impressionable age. I would not be the person I am today without his guidance and he will be sorely missed.

“Thank you Ken for everything you did for me and many other people in our community. You really were a treasure and there is a big hole in the swimming community and on our pool decks. They really broke the mould with you and for that I am thankful.”