Celebrating Jan Croft’s 20 Years Coaching the Over-50s Swim Squad at NAC

By Dr Ian Jobling

From teenage swimming sensation to beloved coach, Jan Croft’s journey has inspired generations of swimmers at Noosa Aquatic Centre.

Renowned Masters swimmer and coach at the Noosa Aquatic Centre (NAC), Jan Croft, most likely would have been an Olympian had the 800m Freestyle event for women been held in the early 1960s. Unfortunately, it was not introduced until the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games.

In July 1959, Melbourne Herald sportswriter Ken Knox wrote that as a 15-year-old, Jan (née Paine) of Ayr ranked among the top twenty in the world over 880 yards (800 metres) freestyle. She was Queensland Open Champion over 220, 440, and 880 yards and came close to making the Australian team for the 1960 Rome Games. Over the next few years, Jan dominated the longest distances then available for female swimmers, winning the Australian Championships in the 880 yards in 1961 and 1962.

Jan has lived in Noosa since 1996 and has excelled in Masters Swimming, competing successfully in Australian and international distance events for many years. She has twice been named Queensland Masters Swimming Coach of the Year.

The Birth of the Over-50s Squad

In October 2005, Jan introduced an Over-50s Squad at NAC—a milestone celebrated at a luncheon at Noosa Springs Golf Club last Friday. Jan shared how the journey began with private adult lessons at NAC, which initially faced resistance from then NAC Manager Stephen James due to council policy. Eventually, Jan gathered enough swimmers for the class to become an official NAC squad. Three of the original members—Gilly and Ken Bensted, and Dorothy Marlow—attended the celebration.

Today, the squad fills six lanes, with up to 18 swimmers in a single lane. Gilly reflected:
“With endless encouragement and stroke-enhancing drills, I came to enjoy and look forward to squad. Twenty years later, I still look forward to my sessions because of Jan’s encouragement, commitment to detail, and her love for the squad that keeps me coming back.”

Voices from the Squad

• Carla Airey joined two years ago:
  “My swimming style, ability, and fitness have improved so much under Jan’s patient guidance. She’s a wonderful coach and inspiration. The squad lanes are friendly and inclusive—some participants have been swimming with Jan for 20 years, which says it all.”

• Howard Peters shared:
  “Joining Jan’s squad turned boring swimming into something fun and social. Jan is a gem.”

Earlier this year, Jan’s son Nick—former international triathlete and NAC coach—joined her on deck to help manage the growing numbers. Together, they make a formidable team. Dorothy Marlow summed it up:
“Jan’s encouragement and special qualities inspire you to keep coming back. It’s terrific she now has Nick alongside her.”

A Lasting Legacy

Stephen James concluded:
“Jan has woven herself into the fabric of the NAC and will be here coaching as long as she desires.”

About the Author:
Dr Ian Jobling was the Founding Director of the UQ Centre of Olympic Studies and is now Honorary Patron of the Queensland Centre of Olympic and Paralympic Studies at the University of Queensland.