Building a sustainable performance structure: Wins from the Performance Coach Development Programme
Clubs and coaches can apply to join the programme from now until 12 October 2025!
Credit: James Lee Photo Services
The Performance Coach Development Programme is playing a vital role in succession planning and programme building across the country, ensuring continuity and growth in important regional rowing hubs.
British Rowing has opened applications for the Performance Coach Development Programme, a unique learning opportunity for coaches and clubs to be mentored and supported in fulfilling their potential in performance rowing.
Delivered by Robin Williams MBE, Olympic Pathways Head Coach Pete Sheppard and Olympic Pathway Coach Developer Doug MacDonald, the two programmes (one for clubs, one for individual coaches) are focussed on sustainably imbedding performance into a club structure, and developing coaches capable of progressing athletes to perform on the world stage.
Success from the Programme
Nottingham’s succession plan
Nottingham University coaches Peter Boyes (2023 cohort) and Emil Ghattas (2025 cohort) have built strong women’s and men’s programmes through engaging with the Performance Coach Development Programme as ex Head Coach (and former GB coach) Ade Roberts transitions into retirement.
The Programme is actively supporting the development potential in this key centre.
Tyne ARC’s historic breakthrough
Tyne ARC was part of the 2024 cohort. In 2025 they saw a massive uplift in performance, qualifying three boats for Henley Royal Regatta (HRR) – including their Women’s Eight for the first time – all progressing to the Friday of the event. The club has thriving numbers across all sections and is now a clear focal point for regional support.
City of Bristol unlocks potential
City of Bristol Rowing Club’s Alex Heslop participated on an individual level for the 2023 cohort. Building on that foundation, the club then secured support on the programme in 2024, maximising the reach of the expert coaching insights. This dedicated investment is already paying dividends with City of Bristol actively building its junior section, creating a vibrant and robust future for the club.
Meet the delivery team
Robin Williams MBE |
Robin has over 30 years of wide ranging coaching experience including 11 years at Cambridge University, four years with the men’s lightweight squad and six years with the women’s heavyweight squad including lead coach for the Glover/Stanning W2- at the 2012 and 2016 Games. |
| Peter Sheppard Head Coach – Olympic Pathways  |
Under Peter’s guidance GB’s young rowers have performed consistently on the international stage and provide a significant contribution to the senior team, with a number of rowers aiming to compete at the Olympic Games having developed through the Junior and U23 pathway. |
| Doug MacDonald Coach Developer – Olympic Pathway  |
Doug has worked widely across the UK High Performance system as a performance coach developer, supporting coaches from grassroots all the way through to current Olympic head coaches. Doug works within the Olympic Pathway team, leading on coach development support to British Rowing’s Olympic Pathway coaches. |
- Robin Williams MBE
- Robin has over 30 years of wide ranging coaching experience including 11 years at Cambridge University, four years with the men’s lightweight squad and six years with the women’s heavyweight squad including lead coach for the Glover/Stanning W2- at the 2012 and 2016 Games.
- Peter Sheppard
Head Coach – Olympic Pathways
- Under Peter’s guidance GB’s young rowers have performed consistently on the international stage and provide a significant contribution to the senior team, with a number of rowers aiming to compete at the Olympic Games having developed through the Junior and U23 pathway.
- Doug MacDonald
Coach Developer – Olympic Pathway
- Doug has worked widely across the UK High Performance system as a performance coach developer, supporting coaches from grassroots all the way through to current Olympic head coaches. Doug works within the Olympic Pathway team, leading on coach development support to British Rowing’s Olympic Pathway coaches.
