The former coach of Australian Olympic champion Ian Thorpe, Frost recently retired to Mollymook however, at the age of 70, he is not quite ready to pack away his stop watch.

In a major coup for the district, the internationally renowned coach will mentor Ulladulla swim coaches, learn to swim instructors and up and coming young swimmers after being contracted by Shoalhaven City Council.

Frost coached the Australian teams for the 1995, 1997 and 1999 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships, the 1998 World Aquatics Championships and the 1998 Commonwealth Games as well as the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. 

The former head coach of the swimming program at the Australian Institute of Sport, Frost is best known as the coach of Ian Thorpe who, during their 10-year relationship, broke nine long course world records, won the 400 metres freestyle at the 1998 World Championships, four gold medals at the 1998 Commonwealth Games, and four gold medals at the 1999 Pan Pacific Championships, where he broke three individual world records.

Under Frost, Thorpe also claimed three world records at the 2000 Telstra Swim Trials, before winning three gold medals, including the 400m freestyle in world record time and the 4 x 100m and 4 x 200m freestyle relays in world record times, at the Sydney Olympic Games.

Frost said he was excited to be starting work at the Ulladulla Leisure Centre.

“From the short session I have already seen, the Ulladulla Leisure Centre squad program definitely has the potential to develop into a strong swimming identity,” he said.

“The squad members have already demonstrated a high level of enthusiasm, talent and commitment.

“I certainly look forward to contributing to the program and witnessing the growth of the squad through the coming months.”

Centre relieving manager Kate Baric said she and the staff were excited to have Frost on their team.

“He has so much experience, we’re all pretty excited about it.”

Mrs Baric said Frost would offer valuable advice to swim coaches Dene Roulstone and Marian Lawson as well as other learn to swim staff.

Frost has also coached on numerous Australian National Squads, was appointed Director of the Australian Swim Coaches Association and was appointed head coach at both the Australian Institute of Sport and British Swimming.

More recently he has been employed by Swimming Australia to oversee coaching programs across the country.

Shoalhaven Mayor Joanna Gash described the appointment as a red letter day for the Ulladulla Leisure Centre.

“Through the achievements and success of his athletes at numerous Olympic and World Championship meets, Doug Frost has earned a reputation as one of the most valued and respected coaches in world swimming,” Cr Gash said.

“The Ulladulla Swim Club is already one of the most competitive and successful swimming clubs within NSW.

“By luring Mr Frost to the leisure centre it will mean that a lot of the up and coming talented swimmers already in the program will not have to leave the area to further their careers.”