Lea Rowing Club Limited – Junior Recruitment & Development Coach (JRDC)

The Lea Rowing Club is based in Hackney on the River Lea. Awarded British Rowing Club of the year for 2022 in recognition of the volunteer led, wide range of diverse rowing opportunities offered to a large range of ages and abilities. As a charity the club is proud of being community based in the heart of Hackney.

Lea R.C. takes its name from its location on the River Lea. The club has a rich history of producing successful male and female athletes from junior through to senior age groups.

The junior section is ambitious and looking to be competitive at the highest levels of the sport. It has a clear and supportive structure in place for juniors to progress their rowing. We encourage young people from all backgrounds to join our club and we promote an inclusive and diverse membership.

Role Purpose 

Junior rowing in the UK is world class and highly competitive. The Lea Rowing Club is looking for an energetic and enthusiastic person to lead on Junior recruitment. The ideal candidate will be passionate about introducing rowing to young people and igniting a sporting habit for life. Rowing will not be the most obvious choice for many young people in Hackney and an important element of the role will be to reach out into our local schools and communities. Currently we have a small schools programme, run taster courses, a learn2row programme and fast track streams. Working closely with our Head of Performance Development the ideal candidate can bring fresh ideas to the role and mould the programmes accordingly, provided our recruitment criteria are met.

We are looking for a dynamic, responsible, visionary individual with strong coaching and administrative skills to be a key member of our team as JRDC. The key emphasis for this role is to meet our recruitment targets, provide outstanding coaching, management and administrative skills.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

To oversee all aspects of Junior Recruitment at Lea Rowing Club, including:

• Coaching beginners: cultivate and maintain a positive environment for junior athletes to develop a love of rowing and reach their potential both on the water and in the gym.
• Learn to row (JL2R): managing and coaching three learn to row courses per year., one per term.
• Fast Track: recruiting for and managing our intake for the performance track. Coaching two Fast Track courses per year. Coordinating with Junior Club Squad on talent acquisition as well as liaising with the Performance squad coaches on current needs for athletes at each age level.
• Schools and outreach: Invoicing and booking schools onto the Schools Programme. Staffing and running the Schools Programme sessions. Reaching out to local schools for talent acquisition and broadening the reach of rowing in the local community.
• Safeguarding: uphold and exceed Lea R.C. and British Rowing standards for safeguarding and safety for all junior athletes at Lea R. C. and liaise with safeguarding officers, demonstrating discretion and sensitivity including understanding the BR social media policy which the club has adopted.
• Health & Safety: uphold and exceed Lea R.C. and British Rowing health and safety standards for junior rowers at Lea R.C. and liaise with health and safety officers, ensure completion of and monitor/ respond to incident and near-miss reports, ensure JL2R coaches understand the Club’s risk assessments.
• Coordination and oversight coaches: guide, support and coordinate the coaching team, provide mentoring where appropriate.
• Pathways: work with the Director of Junior Rowing and the Performance Coaches on the selection of children for JL2R and Fast Track.
• Communications: Liaise with parents, juniors, coaches, boat repairers, the Captain and Junior Rowing Coordinator to ensure effective engagement on matters relating to recruitment and development.
• Coordination and organisation: maintain attendance registers (for monitoring and regular submission to funders), keep records of children on the waiting list, manage the online shift calendar ensuring coach bookings and sessions are up to date, send payroll details to the Club Treasurer each month, provide data for stakeholders, organise capsize tests, attend coach’s meetings, timetable and run Open Days, meet with Director of junior Rowing and Performance Coaches to help select new intake.
•  Be able use a variety of social media platforms and online training e.g. to deliver r training sessions on zoom and communicate to large groups through WhatsApp.

How to Apply

Lea R.C. is committed to inclusion and diversity. We are an equal opportunities employer. The appointment is subject to DBS check.

To apply, please send a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role, motivation for working with Lea R.C. and your Curriculum Vitae, via email to [email protected]

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Interviews, for shortlisted candidates, will be held in person at Lea R.C. during July 2023

The JRDC position is to be based at Lea R.C., The Boathouse, Spring Hill, London E5 9BL.

This is a professional part time position. Starting salary on application. You will hold a Level 2 coaching qualification or be willing to undertake the course. Experience in coaching or teaching young people is desirable.

Thank you for your interest in working with Lea Rowing Club.

Lea Rowing Club Limited is a Registered Charity in England and Wales, No. 1157563, and a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 07368256

Application Dates: From Monday 5th June 2023 to Friday 30th June 2023