Vesta Rowing Club – Squad Head Coach

Vesta Rowing Club is currently looking for an experienced and professional coach for one of its Senior Squads as it looks to consolidate its established position as one of the leading clubs in the country.

The Club has progressed into being one of the largest clubs in the country for adult rowing. This has included record entries at Fours Head, the Remenham Challenge, WeHORR, 8’s Head, HWR and HRR.

This year the club qualified a record 58 athletes for Henley Royal Regatta, across the club events. The Women’s squad reached the final of Aspirational Club Eights at Henley Women’s Regatta and the Semi Final of the Wargrave Challenge Cup at HRR. The Men’s squad had strong entries in each of the principal club events across HRR and strong results in the other main regattas. In 2022, the Women’s squad achieved a win in Aspirational Club Coxless Fours and a final in Aspirational Club Eights at Henley Women’s Regatta, and semi-final in the Wargrave Challenge Cup at HRR. The Men’s squad reached the semi final of the Britannia Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta and demonstrated encouraging depth in other events. We are very much looking to continue to build on these results in the coming season.

This is a part-time role and the responsibilities will include:

• Collaborating with the Clubs’ Management to define Squad Strategic Rowing Objectives for the season.
• Setting the Training Programme, accounting for Club Strategic Objectives and targeted events.
• Managing the Squad of 40+ athletes, driving technical improvement and ensuring athletes are motivated to achieve the best possible results.
• Leading a team of volunteer coaches to ensure a consistent approach to athlete development.
• Working alongside the other Squad coaches and the Clubs’ Management to maintain Club cohesion and consistency.

Essential Skills and Experience includes:

• Proven experience managing rowing squads.
• Proven ability in developing athletes towards a high performance goal.
• Strong decision-making skills; ability to make, justify and communicate decisions on selection and squad direction.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and presentational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and dynamically within the existing coaching structure.
• Experience in setting and administering training programs, accounting for athlete progression.

Commitment:

• Two coached morning sessions on both Saturdays and Sundays.
•  Two coached evening sessions during the week.
• Occasional full weekend as dictated by the Rowing Events calendar.
• 1 week Squad training camp in Q2.
• Weekly administration time.

Additional Training requirements:

• RYA Level 2 Powerboat.
• First Aid Certified.
• British Rowing Level 2 equivalent or above.

A successful candidate will have at their disposal a very well-equipped gym and an excellent and comprehensive fleet.

The package on offer will reflect the successful candidate’s experience, and be commensurate with the time commitment required. For more information please contact the Captain, Dan Baillache, at [email protected].

All applicants should provide a CV or a covering letter as soon as they are able. Applications will be considered and interviews arranged on a rolling basis.

Application Dates: From Wednesday 2nd August 2023 to Monday 14th August 2023