Swimming coach Ken Wood is being remembered as a coach, friend and mentor

KEN WOOD coached some of the country’s most successful swimmers including Geoff Huegill, Jessicah Schipper and Leisel Jones — but to many he was more than just a coach.

Redcliffe legend swim coach, Ken Wood. Photo: Josh Woning.

KEN WOOD coached some of the country’s most successful swimmers including Geoff Huegill, Jessicah Schipper and Leisel Jones — but to many he was more than just a coach.

Wood, 88, passed away peacefully on June 16.

TRIBUTE: Leisel Jones pays resepct to her former coach

It was Australian swimming coach Laurie Lawrence who first noticed Wood’s potential in the 1970s.

“The first time I met Ken, he was coaching at Gordonvale (south of Cairns) and I was coaching at Townsville,” he said.

When Mr Lawrence was given the opportunity to move to Sydney he didn’t want to leave his great group of swimmers behind.

“I needed someone to look after them. I was very impressed with Ken and asked him to take on my squad,” Mr Lawrence said.

Melissa Gorman, Ken Wood and Jessica Schipper ready for the Beijing Olympics. Picture: Brad Cooper

Ken agreed and moved to Townsville. He coached Lesleigh Harvey and Michelle Pearson. Harvey was selected in Australia’s 1976 Olympic team, and Pearson in the 1978 Commonwealth Games team for Canada.

“He left an indelible mark on the people in North Queensland and the Townsville community,” Mr Lawrence said. “I have the highest respect for Ken. He was a great communicator with kids and had the ability to encourage them to work hard, but make it a fun experience.”

Ken Wood at 2003 Commonwealth Games. Picture: Chris Higgins

Wood moved to the Peninsula in the 1980s, after a brief stint at the Australian Institute of Sport. He started at Scarborough before finding a home at the Redcliffe City High Performance Centre swimming pool.

Wood saw the 11-year-old Jessicah Schipper while she was swimming at Lawnton.

She went on to win Olympic, World Championship, Pan Pacific and Commonwealth gold medals.

“He had such a wealth of knowledge of swimming and knew exactly what it took to be the best. Ken also had a good sense of humour. You could have a laugh with him,” Schipper said.

Mr Lawrence said if it was not for Ken a lot of them would not have made it to the national, Commonwealth Games and Olympic teams.

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

“He really cared about the kids. He was more than just a coach,” Mr Lawrence said.

Kim Brennan witnessed first hand the efforts Wood went to with his athletes, both on and off the pool deck.

Mrs Brennan’s son Reece trained with Wood until he retired at the end of last year.

Wood was known for putting an inspirational quote on the white board every morning. His favourite was one from Vince Lombardi: “Character is the direct result of mental attitude.”

Mrs Brennan, who was Wood’s carer for the past few months said: “Ken is a true legend and the most honest, sincere, caring human being I have ever met.”

Reece Brennan and Ken Wood.

Reece said Ken was more than a coach: “He was somebody I could talk to about anything and I trusted his advice. He knew me so well that he could tell if I was having a good or bad day. Ken always told me, ‘You have a friend in me’, and that’s what he was, a true friend.”

A memorial service for Wood will be held on Tuesday, June 26, in the President’s Room at the Redcliffe Leagues Club from 1pm.