Olympian and three-time Commonwealth Games medalist Janelle Pallister has accepted the head coaching position at Surrey Park Swimming, the club announced last month.
Surrey Park made the announcement on their website, saying “We’re thrilled to announce the appointment of Janelle Pallister as our new head coach, commencing after the World Championships in 2025. Janelle is one of Australia’s most respected swimming coaches, a former Olympian and a proven leader in high performance coaching. She has guided numerous swimmers to national and international success, including within the Australian Dolphins team and of course her daughter Lani.”
They added, “Her arrival marks an exciting step forward in Surrey Park’s long-standing commitment to excellence – not only in elite performance, but in building an inclusive, values-driven, and community-first environment. With Janelle’s leadership, we look forward to taking our performance program to the next level while staying true to the club culture that’s supported swimmers and families for over 100 years.”
Pallister, who competed under her maiden name Janelle Elford, finished 5th in the 400 free and 6th in the 800 free at the 1988 Olympics. She also collected medals in the 400 free, 800 free, and 4×200 free relay at the 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games.
The 55-year-old was previously working with Griffith University, where she started in December 2020 and worked under Michael Bohl until he left for a role with China this past December. Great Britain’s Mel Marshall officially took over the program in January.
While at Griffith, she served as head national age coach (January 2021 to January 2022), then co-coach of the high performance squad, before being promoted to associate head coach this past January.
Pallister has prior head coaching experience, having led the Cotton Tree program on the Sunshine Coast from September 2018 to September 2021.
Her departure was met with heartfelt appreciation from Griffith, who shared the following farewell message on Instagram:
After years of inspiring excellence in the water and on deck, we say farewell to our incredible Coach, Janelle.
@janellep88 An Olympian and Commonwealth Games medallist, Janelle brought a champion’s mindset to every session and a heart for helping others achieve their best. She’s poured her energy and passion into our High-Performance Squad, guiding athletes to chase big dreams while always giving back to the sport she loves. Her belief in every swimmer, her wisdom, and her fierce love of the sport will leave a lasting legacy. Thank you, Janelle, for everything you’ve given to our squad, to Griffith University, and to swimming.
You’ll always be part of the Griffith Swim Club family. Wishing you all the very best as you head to Victoria to conquer your next goals, just like we know you will.
Her daughter, Lani, is coming off a blockbuster campaign at the World Championships last month. There, she touched 4th in the 400 free and 3rd in the 1500 free, where she challenged Ledecky for the first 600 meters. She then stayed stroke-for-stroke with the distance legend through the entirety of the 800 free, where she ultimately walked away with silver. She helped Australia to gold in the 4×200 free relay as well, as she did at the Olympics last summer.
Janelle coached her daughter for much of her junior campaign. When Janelle joined Griffith in 2020, Lani moved there too and trained under both her mother and Bohl. Lani moved to train with Dean Boxall early in 2025.
Well done Surrey Park, that’s a great get for your swimmers.
Looking forward to watching Janelle and Team Surrey Park Swimming’s future results – looking good for all involved – the future is yours to shape!