Insight into Coach Development Opportunities: What you could get involved in for British Rowing Coaching Week
Learn all about what Warwick BC Junior Head Coach Liz McEvoy achieved as part of the Coach Development Opportunity
Ahead of British Rowing’s Coaching Week, we caught up with Liz McEvoy to learn about what she’s been up to as part of the Coach Development Opportunity.
“The past six months of the Coach Development Course have been amazing,” explained Liz.
“Working with my coach developer has been fascinating, and has made me look at the way I coach, and tackle the challenges that arise, from different and creative viewpoints. The workshops and cafes have been great as they have covered a wide range of topics, based on the priorities of the group, and along the way we have made some great connections and started to form a supportive peer group.
“Other opportunities, including joining a GB Performance Development Academy training weekend at Holme Pierrepont to observe the high level coaching, and spending a day learning from the very best coaches at Eton Dorney, as well as making connections with other clubs to learn from their journeys, have been incredible.
“The learning I have taken back to my junior section has benefited all of them, and it’s been great to watch them develop as a cohesive squad, improve their rowing technique, and become stronger physically and psychologically as a result of the learning I have been able to pass along to them.”
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.
Monday, 27 October 2025
Following his session at the Coaching Conference join Sport Psychologist William Winstone as he explains how to unlock the secret to peak performance –Â William has been the Team Psychologist with GB Para Rowing since 2010, and Essex Cricket since 2015. The webinar will be run online from 6.30-8pm.
Wednesday, 29 October 2025
As our Coach Development Opportunities move into their third season, we will bring you stories of what it has meant for coaches who have been part of the initiative so far, along with how you can apply for the 2026 season.
We will be holding a sense making Zoom workshop from 18:30-19:30 Monday, 3 November 2025 where we will provide an overview of the opportunities and answer any questions you may have.
Thursday, 30 October 2025
Following his session at the Coaching Conference, you can join Strength and Conditioning expert Alex Wolf to understand how to ensure rowers are physically capable to execute the movements required in rowing to the best of their ability – Alex is the former Head of Strength and Conditioning for the English Institute of Sport, resident author at Science of Rowing, and author of Training the Complete Rower.
