Lara Davenport

In 2015, Davenport started a consulting and coaching business, focusing on performance enhancement, health promotion, leadership and community development through evidenced based experiential techniques and programs. She is currently completing her Diploma in Mindfulness Therapy (Teachers Training Course) accredited by the International Meditation Teachers Association. and the International Institute of Complementary Therapy.

2015 Member of The Order of Australia Association ( Association with the UK, VIC, NSW & QLD). 2012 Selected tribunal member for the Olympic Team Selection Appeals Tribunal for the Australian Olympic Swimming Team. 2008 Lara was awarded the "Key to the City’ Gold Coast for "recognition of outstanding sporting achievement at the Beijing Olympics". At the 2008 Australian Day Honours, Davenport was awarded the Order of Australia Medal "for service to sport and the community" Australian Open Championship medallist since 2003. 2WS Sportsperson of the year 2002. Australian Open Championship Finalist since 2000. New South Wales Institute of Sport scholarship holder since 1999.

At the 2008 Australian Swimming Championships she qualified for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing as a member of the 4×200-metre freestyle relay. Lara swam the final leg of the heats in Beijing safely qualifying the final team. Lara successfully posted her personal best at the Olympics demonstrating her ability to perform under pressure. As part of the 4×200-metre freestyle relay, Davenport won gold when the first-choice quartet won the final in a world record time.

Davenport gained a scholarship at the New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) in 1999. She represented Australia at the East Asian Games: Osaka, Japan in 2001 winning three gold medals in the 100- and 200-metre butterfly, and the 4×200-metre freestyle. She competed internationally at the Mare Nostrum World Tour (Europe – 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008) and the short course World Cup Tour (2003, 2004) medalling in butterfly and freestyle events. In 2004 Lara represented Australia at the Oceania Championships: Suva, Fiji winning gold medals in the 200-metre freestyle and 4×200-metre freestyle and a silver in the 200-metre butterfly. In 2005, Lara made her first major Australian team competing at the World Championships: Montreal, Canada and won a silver medal as part of the 4×200-metre freestyle relay (heat swimmer). In 2006, Davenport made a career changing move relocated to Kingscliff and due to a back injury specialized in freestyle events. In 2006, Lara competed at the World Short Course Championships: Shanghai, China resulting in a gold and silver medal in the 4×200-metre and 4×100-metre freestyle relay (heat swimmer). At the 2007 World Aquatics Championships in Melbourne. Lara gained selection into the final team (Jodie Henery, Stephanie Rice, Lara Davenport and Libby Trickett) after posting the second fastest split of among all swimmers. The team came 4th in the final which fueled a strong competitive team culture in the lead up to an Olympic year.

Lara Shiree Davenport OAM (born 22 December 1983 in Sydney, New South Wales) in 2006, she relocated to Kingscliff, Northern NSW to train with at the High Performance Institute – New South Wales Institute of Sport by Greg Salter. During her Olympic pursuit Lara was the Ambassador for Pacific Hoists. She completed her Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) at Bond University. She is currently the Chair of the Queensland Olympic Council Education Commission and a member of the Victorian Olympic Council Education Commission.