Canberra, Australia National Training Centre Transition Program Closing at Year’s End

Photo Courtesy: Delly Carr/Swimming Australia

The Canberra National Training Centre Transition Program was developed by Swimming Australia and implemented on January 1, 2017. The Program was designed for 18-22 year olds as a part of the country’s 2020 High Performance Strategy.

Swimmers were led by Tracey Menzies, former coach to nine-time Olympic Medalist Ian Thorpe, for a two-year period to work on Olympic event weaknesses or gaps, skill development and more.

With the end of this two year time frame approaching, the Centre will be closing as Swimming Australia believes that a centralized program in the country’s capital is no longer needed.

Swimming Australia has today announced that the National Training Centre (NTC) Transition Program in Canberra is to close at the end of the year.

The decision to close the program follows a recent analysis of all High Performances Centres in Australia.

Swimming Australia’s Chief Strategist High Performance Alex Baumann said the decision to cease the residential training program was a difficult decision to make but was performance focused.

“With two years to go to Tokyo it was important we evaluated all eleven of our High Performance Centres to ensure that the support we provide is meeting our performances objectives.

“We are very fortunate to be in a position, through the support of Sport Australia, Principal Partners Hancock Prospecting and Optus, and our other partners, that we can provide world-class facilities and support in programs all over Australia.

“This means that athletes, including developing athletes, now have more choice than ever regarding the location of their training programs and there is no need for a centralised residential program.

“We will continue to work closely with the AIS in Canberra, both through the continuation of our High Performance Para Program and accessing facilities to support high performance camps and the National Relay Project Testing,” he said.

Baumann paid tribute to NTC Transition Program Head Coach Tracey Menzies for her contribution to the program.

“Tracey is a highly valued platinum level coach who has coached Olympic Champions and still has a lot to offer the sport.

“As her current role will no longer be required from the New Year, we will work with Tracey over the coming weeks to explore further opportunities for her to remain connected to Swimming,” said Baumann.

— The above press release was posted by Swimming World in conjunction with Swimming Australia. For press releases and advertising inquiries please contact Advertising@SwimmingWorld.com.

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Jennifer Andrew

5 years ago

Australia has few coaches that could compare with Tracey Menzies. You can see exactly why Thorpe chose her over all others. She is an educator, a mentor, a level-headed person who respects swimmers and their commitment. I hope she isn’t lost to Australian swimming. She is one of the few woman who coaches at this level …