Jodie Henry Switches Coaches from Rollason to Fowlie -- January 10, 2006
SYDNEY, Australia, January 10. ONLY a few weeks before the start of the Commonwealth Games Trials, world-record holder Jodie Henry has switched coaches, albeit while remaining at the same training facility. Around Christmas, Henry moved from Shannon Rollason to John Fowlie at the Australian Institute of Sport. According to a story by Nicole Jeffery in The Australian, Rollason played a major role in the coaching change, as he felt it would be a positive development for Henry’s career.
The world-record holder in the 100 freestyle and a three-time gold medalist at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Henry recently admitted that she has had difficulty motivating herself for practice. Consequently, in an attempt to rejuvenate her career, Henry agreed to the coaching change. Whether the switch pays immediate dividends will be determined at the Commonwealth Trials.
"We tried different things but I felt a change needed to happen," Rollason said in the newspaper article. "I have been coaching Jodie for nine years ... sometimes you just need a fresh set of eyes. It would be selfish of me not to do this. I have had a good run with Jodie. I am big enough not to feel any ill feelings."
Henry expressed optimism in the change. Just a few weeks ago, prior to the New South Wales Championships, Rollason publicly criticized Henry for her lack of dedication. Fowlie has had quality results on the international stage, evident in Jade Edmistone winning gold in a world-record time in the 50 breaststroke at last summer’s World Championships in Montreal.
"I see it as a positive thing," Henry said. "John does similar training to Shannon, and even the first few sessions have been a little bit more enjoyable for me. I think after Athens, it was such a big high, coming back after winning the 100 freestyle, that it was hard to get motivated. It's funny to say it, but winning at the Olympics has contributed to this. Now I have the Commonwealth, world and Olympic gold medals, I have done it all. It's going to be a matter of starting to love the sport again."
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Photo By: © Peter H. Bick
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