Jürgen Grobler wins Sports Coach UK lifetime achievement award
Men’s chief coach Jürgen Grobler has coached a British gold medallist at every Olympics since 1992
Jurgen Grobler watches the men's eight win gold at Rio 2016 (Peter Spurrier/Intersport Images)
British Rowing’s men’s chief coach Jürgen Grobler has picked up a lifetime achievement award at the Sports Coach UK awards, recognising his incredible success within the sport.
Having joined British Rowing in 1991, Grobler has coached a gold medal winning boat in every Olympic Games since Barcelona 1992.
He oversaw three of Sir Steve Redgrave’s five gold medals and all four of Sir Matthew Pinsents, as well as guiding the men’s coxless four to five consecutive golds between Sydney 2000 and Rio 2016.
In Rio, Grobler also played a key role in the first men’s eight gold medal since 2000 as Great Britain topped the rowing medal table for the third Games in a row.
Alongside Redgrave and Pinsent, Grobler has coached several British rowers to multiple Olympic golds, including James Cracknell, Andrew T Hodge, Pete Reed, Tom James, Steve Williams and Alex Gregory.
The 70-year-old is already planning for Tokyo 2020 – his eighth Olympics with Great Britain – saying his desire to continue is still strong.
