After representing Australia five times as a junior athlete, Lacey was last week awarded Junior Coach of the Year at the NSW Sports Federation's awards night.

She was nominated by Gymnastics NSW for her work and results at the national championships and world championships.

"I was nominated from our performance through nationals last year where we won six medals, and one of those groups went on to represent at the world championships in France," Lacey said. "I didn't go to France (as a coach), but went to watch.

"We have four groups training for the next world championships.

"The trials are at the end of this year and if we get some teams through to the worlds in China next April I might be able to go as a coach.

"I haven't been to China before, so that would be pretty special.

"I was lucky enough to have represented Australia at three world championships and two international events, and in 2009 in America we won a second and a third."

When asked why she has switched her focus from competing to coaching, she said the decision was easy.

"When I went out of juniors at 19, I decided to concentrate on coaching - it is something that I love and hope to do for a long, long time.

"My mum Kim has been coaching for many years, in fact I think it has been since about 1980, and I have been coming to the gym since I was a baby, so I have grown up with it."

Even though most of her time is spent coaching her students, Lacey has decided to pursue a career in primary school teaching, working part- time in a shop at Stockland Shellharbour.