Coxswain Performance Development Programme

Coxswains are leaders, tacticians and athletes. They sit at the heart of every crew’s rhythm, strategy, and success. But access to expert guidance for developing coxswains isn’t always equal. The WOX x British Rowing Coxswain Performance Development Programme is here to change that.

Our joint vision is simple: any young person with the potential to reach the top of our sport should have access to the support they need to succeed. We will help emerging coxswains develop the core qualities needed for elite performance: leadership, communication, tactical awareness, decision making, and boat feel.

This first-of-its-kind programme is a collaboration between The Winning Cox and British Rowing. Up to 16 coxswains (aged 16 to 23) will benefit from a fully funded learning experience thanks to support from Sport England and the National Lottery. During these sessions participants will work with expert mentors from The Winning Cox to cover the knowledge, cognitive skills, technical understanding, and leadership qualities required to progress both on and off the water.

Are you a cox from J16 to U23 level with bags of potential? Do you show commitment, curiosity, and the drive to improve? Then you are who we are looking for! You don’t need tonnes of medals or perfect experience to apply, just motivation, willingness to learn, and passion to make the boat go faster.

We are looking for those with the potential to be leaders in the coxing field. You should be confident in launching, landing, and running a session, and have raced for at least one full season.  Candidates should want to learn the foundational skills to be competitive at all levels, and want to improve on and off the water.

Applications are open to all, but we will give priority to those from state schools and smaller / developing programmes where opportunities for tailored support may be limited.

Many coxswains don’t have access to dedicated coaching, mentorship, or actionable feedback. This programme is designed to help bridge that gap by helping coxswains take control of their growth, develop confidence, and strengthen their influence within their crew and club.

Our goal is to inspire a new generation of coxes who are setting new standards of leadership in rowing across the country.