26 January 2016 

Jenni Banks, British Athletics’ Institute Coach for Wheelchair Racing has been honoured on Australia Day, the official National Day of Australia.

Banks, who coaches nine-time global gold medallist Hannah Cockroft has received the Order of Australia Medal for service worthy of particular recognition.

Regarded as one of the most successful Paralympic coaches, Banks worked as the Director of Sport and High Performance Manager for the Australian Paralympic Committee for eight years, which included a home Paralympic Games in Sydney 2000. The Australian also coached the legendary Tanni Grey-Thompson, who won a total of 11 Paralympic gold medals during a distinguished career on the track.

After moving to the UK at the end of 2012, Banks has enjoyed further success with Cockroft winning double gold at the IPC Athletics Championships in 2013 before winning three world titles two years later in Doha.

Paralympic Head Coach Paula Dunn said: “It’s really pleasing to see Jenni honoured for her relentless dedication to para-athletics. She has enjoyed considerable success in Australia before joining us just over three years ago where her experience has been an integral part of the team’s success.

“We look forward to continuing our journey with Jenni as we prepare for Paralympic Games in Rio this summer.” 

For more information, please visit: http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/