Vale Ken 'Reggie' Tucker

AusCycling is mourning the passing of Ken ‘Reggie’ Tucker, the legendary track cycling coach from Rockhampton who propelled a young Anna Meares to greatness as her first coach.

Before meeting Meares, Tucker coached his son Kenrick Tucker to two Commonwealth Games sprint gold medals, the first in Edmonton in 1978, followed by home state success in Brisbane in 1982. Reggie also steered his son to Olympic Games participations in Moscow and Los Angeles.

With his own unique style, Reggie was the driving force behind Rockhampton’s cycling success for close to 50 years. He mentored and influenced countless cyclists from central Queensland on and off the bike.

In the 1990s, two sisters from Middlemount called Kerrie and Anna Meares made the three-hour drive to Rockhampton’s Kenrick Tucker Velodrome and started their journey to the top of women’s track sprinting.

Reggie and Anna maintained a close friendship throughout her career and to the end of his life – a friendship that Reggie considered a privilege.

Ken 'Reggie' Tucker and Anna Meares hug after her keirin win at the 2012 UCI Track World Championships in Melbourne. Picture: John Veage

“She is still the same girl that rode around my track. Success hasn’t changed her and I am so proud,” Tucker said to Rockhampton’s The Morning Bulletin in 2016 following Meares’ retirement.

Meares has paid tribute to her former coach on her social media, writing a heartfelt thank you to the man who “saw something in me all those years ago when no one else did”.

“And on behalf of the woman I am today, I say thank you Reg, I love you. I’ll miss you. Happily always, your ugly duckling,” she wrote.

“He was strong willed, stubborn, dedicated and passionate. He provided a platform for development that created a foundation that shaped so many … not just as athletes, but as people.

“His many quotes and stories will live large, his impact we know is wide and varied. Despite his achievements and the achievements of those he supported in his sons, family, and those he trained, he remained humble and true to himself to the very end.

“He was a stalwart and an icon to the region and community he was a part of.

“White overalls, white gum boots, stopwatch and note pad in chest pocket, pigeons, sheep, cows, dogs (Zippy and Biscuit), motorbike, push bike or the flappy hat he wore under his helmet; whatever your memory or experience, it’s fair to say, Reggie will never be forgotten.”

Ken 'Reggie' Tucker with son Kenrick Tucker and granddaughter Brooke Tucker at the 2015 Cycling Australia Track National Championships. Picture: John Veage

AusCycling extends its condolences to the family and friends of Ken ‘Reggie’ Tucker.

Feature picture – Anna Meares and Reggie Tucker at the 2012 UCI Track World Championships in Melbourne. Picture: John Veage