Merton College Boat Club (Oxford) – Head Rowing Coach

Merton College Boat Club is looking for one or two passionate and experienced Head Coach(es) to oversee the Men’s and/or Women’s Senior Squads and coach Men’s and/or Women’s 1st VIII(s).

We look to hire one Club Head Coach, or individual Men’s and Women’s Head Coaches, depending on compatibility, experience, and availability.

The rowing season at Merton College Boat Club is based around Torpids and Summer Eights – bumps racing on the Isis in Oxford, in the 2nd and 3rd terms of the academic year. This coming year, we are excited to continue the success of 2024: we have achieved an incredibly successful year, with 15 bumps in Summer Eights – the highest across all Oxford Colleges. Both Women’s First and Second eights won blades.

As a club, we also compete in external competitions, including HORR, WEHORR, Quintin Head, Wallingford Head, and Bedford Regatta. This year, our top Women’s 4+ won their division at Bedford.

The Head Coach role includes:

1. Coaching 3 water sessions per week per side (M/W) at Godstow in Oxford, from a launch. These will be morning sessions during Michaelmas and Hilary (1st and 2nd terms), but may include evening sessions in Trinity (3rd term).
2. Creating and managing a training program for both water and land training, and vacation training.
3. Working alongside rowing Captains to select rowers and coxes for the 1st VIII(s).
4. Other coaching, depending on availability, including water sessions on the Isis in Oxford, land sessions (ergs, tanks, circuits), and bank riding during both internal and external racing.
5. Promoting a positive attitude and culture towards training, individual and crew progression, and overall club ethos.

Required Criteria

1. Experience of rowing or coxing, and coaching (preferably from a launch), at a competitive level.
2. Knowledge or experience of coxing and the ability to provide some feedback and guidance to coxes.
3. Understanding of equipment and rigging, and the ability to advise MCBC on equipment purchases.
4. Enthusiasm for coaching, and for athlete and squad development.
5. Organisational skills and flexibility.
6. Ability to manage a range of fitness levels and technical abilities.
7. Available for the full academic year (October 2024 to Summer 2025) with the potential of staying on in the longer term.

Desirable Criteria

1. Understanding of Oxford College Rowing, Bumps Racing, and the Isis river stretch.
2. British Rowing Coaching Qualification, RYA2 Powerboat Qualification, or similar.
3. Interest in coaching at an Easter Training Camp (possibly abroad).
4. The ability to coach-cox when needed.

Pay will be competitive and negotiable based on experience and commitment. Applications may be submitted at any time and interviews will be held on a rolling basis, until the right candidate is found. MCBC may make offers at any time after 17 June.

Please submit a CV and short cover letter to the club President ([email protected]), and, depending on the role you are applying for, the Men’s Captain ([email protected]) and/or Women’s Captain ([email protected]).

Please do get in touch should you have any questions. We really look forward to hearing from you!

Salary: Dependent on experience

Type: Three 90 minute sessions per week, on average.

Application Dates: From Friday 31st May 2024 to Wednesday 31st July 2024