Posted: 12 August 2020

Rowing is one of nine Scottish sports which will benefit from the Coaching Futures programme after Scottish Rowing secured investment from sportscotland for the successful performance athlete to coach apprenticeship programme.

The programme aims to utilise the experience of performance athletes and create opportunities for them to transition into coaching roles. The two year, full-time, apprenticeship provides a unique opportunity to ‘earn while you learn’ by focusing on the development of coaching practice. The apprentice coach will benefit from a comprehensive personal development plan and support from experienced coaches and qualified coach developers.

Scottish Rowing has a strong track record of developing and retaining coaches through the Coaching Futures programme. John Higson (cohort one: 2013-15) is currently Assistant Head of Rowing at the University of Edinburgh and last year he was coach to the Great Britain women’s four that won a gold medal at the World Rowing Under 23 Championships in Sarasota, whilst Iain Docwra (cohort two: 2015-18) has recently been appointed Head Coach at the University of Glasgow.

Lee Boucher, Scottish Rowing Head of Performance Pathway, said:
“We are delighted that sportscotland has chosen to invest in rowing for the third cohort of the Coaching Futures programme.

“It has been really encouraging to see the progression and impact that both John and Iain have made with the support of Coaching Futures and this new funding allows us to learn from these experiences and create another exciting opportunity for an aspiring performance coach."

“This time round the apprenticeship will be hosted by Scottish Rowing and the coach will gain practical hands-on experience supporting our junior and under 23 pathway initiatives and working alongside our performance partner programmes including World Class Start.”

The recruitment process to identify the next coach will commence in September and given the uncertain sporting landscape there will be a flexible start date to accommodate any applicants who may be targeting the Tokyo Games.

The role will be based at the Scottish Rowing Centre at Strathclyde Park but will involve travel across Scotland and Great Britain working with athletes and coaches in their home club environments.

To be eligible for the Coaching Futures programme an individual must be a retiring athlete, or recently retired athlete within the last 5 years, and have recent experience within a performance environment.

Scottish Rowing is committed to selecting staff solely on the basis of their ability to do the job for which they are being recruited and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Given the underrepresentation in performance coaching roles in Scotland we would encourage applications from suitably qualified women.

For further information on the Coaching Futures programme please contact Lee Boucher, Scottish Rowing Head of Performance Pathway (lee.boucher@scottish-rowing.org.uk).