Performance Coach Development Programme

A unique learning opportunity for coaches to be mentored and supported in fulfilling their potential as performance coaches

What is the Performance Coach Development Programme?

The British Rowing Performance Coach Development Programme (PCDP) in partnership with the GB Rowing Team, will bring together up to eight ambitious coaches from around the pathway network. The programme is a unique opportunity for a cohort of coaches to be supported in fulfilling their potential to develop as performance coaches, capable of progressing athletes to perform on the world stage.

The programme has been designed by experienced high performance coaches who have worked in rowing at international level and are committed to supporting coaches to be at their very best. Throughout the programme coaches will have the opportunity to work with others from a range of environments. Coaches will be challenged and supported by coaching mentors to interpret what they learn and apply it in their own coaching environment.

Who is the Performance Coach Development Programme for?

The programme is aimed at coaches who are…

Motivated to develop performance athletes at any stage of the pathway.
Committed and excited to learn, reflect and invest in their own development.
Championed in their development by their clubs.

What can I expect on the programme?

The programme runs over one year, with the course commencing each September and concluding with a final panel discussion the following September.

The programme consists of four face-to-face days and two field-based visits in their coaching environment from September to April. Access to further development opportunities and resources, with group follow-up will take place in September the following year.

In addition to these days, the programme will provide individual one-to-one support.

The main activity for the programme is over the winter months so it should fit in comfortably with coaches’ daily work.

Key People

Meet the Key People


Robin Williams MBE	Tom Pattichis

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.	Olympic Pathway Manager Tom has held a variety of roles at all levels of the performance pathway, working in club, school, university and talent ID settings. He has coached a number of athletes representing GB at U19, U23 and Senior level, alongside six Henley Royal Regatta wins. He joined the GB senior team in 2018, working with the senior women’s programme in the Tokyo Olympiad before moving into his current role.

Sarah Harris	Peter Sheppard

Head of Education and Training Sarah leads on coach learning, education and development at British Rowing. She works closely with other key people to ensure the Performance Coach Development Programme runs smoothly. Sarah also supports the coaches through the programme as another point of contact.	Deputy Director of 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.

: Robin Williams MBE
: Tom Pattichis

: 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.
: Olympic Pathway Manager
Tom has held a variety of roles at all levels of the performance pathway, working in club, school, university and talent ID settings. He has coached a number of athletes representing GB at U19, U23 and Senior level, alongside six Henley Royal Regatta wins. He joined the GB senior team in 2018, working with the senior women’s programme in the Tokyo Olympiad before moving into his current role.

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: Sarah Harris
: Peter Sheppard

: Head of Education and Training
Sarah leads on coach learning, education and development at British Rowing. She works closely with other key people to ensure the Performance Coach Development Programme runs smoothly. Sarah also supports the coaches through the programme as another point of contact.
: Deputy Director of 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.