British Rowing announces new partner to deliver Level 4 Advanced Coach programme

February 4, 2025

Applications will open following an online open day and sense making session available for coaches to attend in March 2025

The Unversity of Stirling will be teaming up with British Rowing and valued partners British Equestrian to deliver the Level 4 (L4) Advanced Coach programme for coaches from both sports from September 2025.

Stephen Macdonald, Programme Director, MSc Sport Performance Coaching said, “On behalf of the University of Stirling, I am delighted that British Equestrian and British Rowing have chosen the University of Stirling as their Higher Education partners in the delivery of their Level 4 programme. We are excited to start working with their high performing coaches in September 2025 as they continue their individual development journeys.”

British Rowing L4 Programme Manager Loretta Williams said, “We are delighted to continue our collaboration with British Equestrian on the L4 programme, which provides a unique opportunity for our coaches to discuss key coaching concepts with peers across different sporting contexts and practices. We are really excited that Stirling is joining us in this partnership and look forward to seeing our coaches develop whilst taking this next step in their coaching journey.”

Course format

The course, which runs across two academic years, will have online content to stimulate discussions with coaches on a range of topics from the Coaching Process, and Coaching as Learning to Creating Engaging Coaching Practice. Online sessions will be complemented with opportunities to come together as a cohort in September and May of each academic year.

Support from British Rowing Coach Developers will be wrapped around this including 360° reviews, coaching observations and professional discussions. Coaches are encouraged to keep a coaching log throughout their L4 programme and will draw on this in their reflections for their final panel interview, which takes place after completing their PGDIP with the University. Coaches can then continue their studies with Stirling to complete a Masters degree.

Find out more

Visit our Advanced Coach (Level 4) page where you can download the Level 4 Information Booklet or contact British Rowing L4 Programme Manager Loretta Williams on ([email protected]).

Come along to these online sessions

Further information about the structure and the course content of the PGDIp and L4 elements will be fully explained to coaches at an online information session led by Programme Director Stephen Macdonald, on 4 March 2025 from 10.30am-12.30pm (no registration required – simply click the button below on the day).

Join Stirling's Information Session (4 March)

This will be followed by a ‘sense -making’ workshop hosted by British Rowing L4 Programme Manager Loretta Williams and Learning, Ediucation and Development Manager Sarah Harris on 10 March 2025 at 7.30pm (registration required).

L4 programme entry requirements

To apply to study for the Level 4 Coaching Certificate, you will be required to:

Hold a Level 3 Coaching Certificate or recognised equivalent qualification, such as World Rowing/other federation coaching qualifications or suitable postgraduate diploma.
Demonstrate that you’ve been a high-performing coach in a specific environment for a minimum of five years and display high-performing characteristics aligned to the Level 4 criteria.

As part of the application process, you will need to demonstrate that you can:

Provide a range of evidence of on-going professional development and of your current high-performing coaching practice.
Employ an athlete-centred approach in your coaching.
Hold an ambassadorial role in rowing.

You are encouraged to identify a mentor to support you with specialist, sport-based, technical development.

How to apply

Applications will open* following the online sessions in March 2025 listed above, and will close on 30 May 2025.

*A link to the online application form will be added to our Advanced Coach (Level4) page on 11 March 2025.