Fenella Ng
Competing in 3 Olympics, in a career that spanned over 20 years, first as a swimmer and later as a rower, Fenella is undoubtedly one of Hong Kong's most decorated and longest serving athletes. Fenella is the only HK athlete to have medalled in 2 sports at the Asian Games level, winning multiple medals in both sports, underlining her class and versatility. Career highlights include being the first HK athlete to qualify for the finals in the World Rowing Championship where she competed in the single sculls, as well as winning HK's first ever Asian Swimming Championships Gold medals when she was crowned a double Asian Swimming Championships Champion at age 15yrs in the 200m and 400m freestyle. Her background in multi-sports dates back to the mid 1980's, claiming the title of Overall Winner in the two inaugural HK International Biathlon Championships (she beat the entire men's field too!). Twenty-five years later and long after retirement from the international sporting arena, Fenella discovered the joys of Age Group triathlons and competed in distances up to the 70.3 (only Half crazy!) events for a few seasons before stepping away due to a series of injuries.
As a swimmer, Fenella started under the tutelage of Captain Harry Wright, then furthered her skills with internationally acclaimed Head Coaches David Haller (GB), Terry Dennison (GB) and Bill Sweetenham (AUS). Fenella has coached on and off since the mid 1980's, covering every level of swimmer, from mother & infant, competitive junior swim teams, to competitive Masters & Age Group World Championship athletes. During the early 1990's, Fenella was appointed swim coach to the HK National Triathlon Team, working with HK's top triathletes for several seasons at the HK Sports Institute.
A desire to continuously update and her knowledge of the sport has driven her to organize and attend clinics, workshops and seminars with the greats like Shelly Taylor-Smith (7 time World Marathon Champion, Champion Mindset), Sheila Taormina (Olympic medallist, 4 time US Olympian in 3 sports) and the Brownlee brothers (Olympic Triathlon Gold and Silver medalists). More recently, in order to hone in specifically on Open Water and Triathlon coaching, Fenella embark on a journey to become one of the first Internationally Certified Swim Smooth coaches, undergoing extensive mentoring with the Swim Smooth guru himself, Paul Newsome. Armed with various Swimming, Triathlon and Strength and Conditioning certifications, Fenella is well equipped to guide swimmers both in and out of the water.
Without a doubt, Fenella possess exceptional feel and understanding of the the water, when in the water or rowing a boat. With a background in Chemical Engineering, Actuarial Studies and a Masters degree in Finance, her inner geek manifests itself in her love for the analytical side of swimming and with this comes a great attention to details. She's a great communicator who loves nothing more than to share her passion. Nothing brings her more joy than mentoring others to succeed, whether a novice athlete or a seasoned athlete alike.
Her dedication to HK sports over the years has seen her serve as President of the HK Triathlon Association and sit on the Executive Board of the Asian Triathlon Confederation, as well as on the HK Anti-doping Committee and the HK Olympic Academy. Having previously been invited by IOPA to serve as a group leader at the IOCs International Olympic Academy in Olympia, Greece, in 2016 Fenella was further invited by the International Triathlon Union's President to participate in the IOCs Women's In Sports Leadership Conference in Lausanne, Switzerland. Since 2017, Fenella currently involved in the ITU Coach Development program, educating Level 1 & 2 coaches from around the world.
“Through careful analysis of my technique and stroke, and considered advice, Fenella has shown me not only how to be faster in the water, but also more efficient. Fenella was able to detect problem areas in my swim that I was completely unaware of, and through her suggestions and tips I’ve been able to work on these areas, resulting in not only coming out of the water earlier, but also feeling more confident and fresh. Dare I say I even enjoy the swim now.”
Qualifications
Swim Smooth: Certified Coach
AUSTSWIM Towards: Competitive Strokes: Coaching Certification
American Swimming Coaches Association: Coaching Certification
ITU - Level 2 Triathlon: Coach Certification
ITU Coach Development Team: L1 and L2 Facilitator
HK Triathlon Association: Level 1 Triathlon Coaching Certification
HK Life Saving Association: Bronze Medallion
American Red Cross: CPR and First Aid Accreditation
National Strength & Conditioning Association: Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT)
National Strength & Conditioning Association: Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (NSCA-CSCS)
Honours
Sydney Olympic Games Opening Ceremony (2000): Flag Bearer for Hong Kong Team
Beijing Olympic Torch Relay (2008): Torch Bearer across HK Harbour
HK Sports Star Award: Winner 1997, 1998 and 1999
HK Swim Coaches Association: "Swimmer of the Year"
Sporting Achievements
Swimming
Olympic Games: Los Angeles (1984) and Seoul (1998)
Asian Games: New Delhi (1982), Seoul (1986) Bronze Medal , Beijing (1990), Hiroshima
(1994) Silver Medal
Asian Swimming Championships: 2 x Gold Medals, 1 x Silver Medal and 2 x Bronze Medals
Former HK Record Holder: 100m, 200m, 400m Freestyle, 200m Butterfly, 4 x 100m/200m Freestyle relay, 4x100m Medley relay
Rowing
Olympic Games: Sydney (2000)
Asian Games: Bangkok (1998) 2 x Silver Medals
Asian Rowing Championships: 1 x Gold Medal, 4 x Silver Medals and 1 x Bronze Medal
East Asian Games: 2 x Silver Medals (1997)
World Championships Lightweight Single Sculls: 6th place (1998) and 7th place (1997)
HK Rowing Championships Lightweight and Open Single and Double Sculls Champion
HK Record Holder in Lightweight and Open Indoor Rowing
Triathlon / Multi-Sport
70.3 Taiwan: 3rd (W40-44)
Laguna Phuket Int'l Triathlon: 3rd (W40-44)
HK International Biathlon Championships: 1984 Women's Champion, 1995 Overall Champion (Men & Women)