Behind the success: How the Coach Development Opportunity propelled Heather McDermott’s coaching
Learn all about what Tynemouth RC’s coach Heather McDermott achieved as part of the Coach Development Opportunity
As part of of British Rowing’s Coaching Week, we chatted with Tynemouth RC’s Heather McDermott to learn about what she’s been up to as part of the Coach Development Opportunity.
“One of the Rowers at my club shared the details of the program and hounded me to apply. I’m so glad he did.  Thank you Hal!.”
“As a new rower but a long-time coach from another sport, we saw it as a way to quickly elevate my coaching.
“The programme has been invaluable. It combined group workshops with dedicated one-on-one coaching, and the sessions are tailored to our cohort’s needs and requests. This structure, along with my incredible developers Jill and Gordon, helped me better understand my athletes and myself.
“The network I’ve built has been life-changing, and it’s been so inclusive, it blows my mind the people I have been able and continue to “sit at the table” with. Thank you to the British Rowing LEAD team and the funding partners that allow this program to be accessible.
“In under two years, and with no prior rowing qualifications, I’ll have coached for my country at four international events in four different countries, the latest of which the coaching team included two other CDO participants and one British Rowing Performance Development Academy coach. This programme and its support system gave me the skills and confidence to overcome significant challenges, keeping me in the sport when I might (actually would have) otherwise have walked away. Instead I gained the confidence and knowledge to work with everyone from learn to rowers to world champions, host a British Championships and have loads of fun and make new friends and memories along the way.
“I couldn’t recommend it more. ”
About the opportunities
British Rowing is committed to building a diverse and inclusive coaching culture where difference is embraced, and exceptional talents can flourish. In October 2023, we launched a new suite of coach development initiatives that enable coaches to work with a British Rowing Coach Developer and create development opportunities tailored to each coach’s needs, to help achieve this aim.
We are pleased to repeat this bespoke learning offer in 2026 for up to 60 coaches.
If you are new to rowing, then curiosity and openness to learn and challenge yourself are more important than having knowledge about rowing.
If you are committed to coaching in rowing, motivation and an openness to developing yourself further are more important than accolades.
What you’ll get:
- One to one support from an experienced Coach Developer
- Money-can’t-buy experiences which will inspire coaches to work creatively
- Access to a new and exciting network of coaches through Coach Cafes
- The chance to experiment and push the boundaries of your coaching practice
- Opportunities to visit regional hubs, high profile outreach programmes and well-established clubs, universities and schools
- Ongoing support through buddies/ambassadors and the opportunity to share experiences on representative advisory panels
- A fluid timetable to meet individuals’ needs including tailored workshops and development opportunities
Applications will open on 29 October 2025 and close on 17 November 2025
Following the British Rowing Coaching Conference in January, we will be building on the theme of ‘Inspirational Coaching’, delivering new live sessions, sharing new initiatives and resources, and celebrating coaches across the sport.
Saturday, 1 November 2025
To kick off the weekend, we will be giving open access to all of the sessions from the 2025 Coaching Conference so you can watch back, or enjoy for the first time.
Look out for more information on our socials.
Sunday, 2 November 2025
For the final day of Coaching Week, we will introduce you to an exciting piece of research about the lived experiences of rowing coaches, and how it is shaping how we can create the culture for everyone to thrive.
