Head Coach – Open Squad
Green Templeton College Boat Club, University of Oxford
Green Templeton College Boat Club is seeking a Head Coach for its Open Squad for the academic year.
As a graduate college, the club has a high turnover of students each year. Recruiting and developing novice rowers is therefore an important part of the role. The Head Coach will be responsible for developing new rowers and helping them progress into senior crews, while also improving the performance of existing athletes.
The Head Coach will lead the Open Squad’s training programme and technical approach, working closely with the Open Captain and other squad captains. The role includes preparing crews for the Oxford college racing calendar, particularly Torpids and Summer Eights.
The role involves approximately 5–6 coached sessions per week. In autumn and winter, these will mainly be morning water sessions and morning or evening erg sessions. In spring and early summer, training will move towards more evening sessions.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan and deliver approximately 5–6 water, erg and land-training sessions per week.
- Set and maintain a consistent technical approach and training programme for the Open Squad.
- Recruit, coach and develop novice rowers, with a clear pathway into senior crews.
- Coach athletes across different experience levels, with a focus on technique, fitness and crew performance.
- Lead crew selection and seat racing, considering performance, technique, attendance, attitude and crew compatibility.
- Prepare crews for Torpids, Summer Eights and other agreed races.
- Provide clear individual and crew-level feedback.
- Work with squad captains on training, athlete development, crew selection and race preparation.
- Support the development of coxes, including steering, technical calls and race execution.
- Monitor athlete workload and adapt training where necessary.
- Attend agreed races and provide race-day coaching.
- Ensure sessions comply with relevant British Rowing, OURCs and club safety requirements.
Requirements
Candidates should have either:
- A minimum of 2 years of rowing coaching experience; or
- Experience rowing at a high competitive level, with a good understanding of rowing technique and training and an interest in developing as a coach.
Candidates should also:
- Communicate clearly and give practical, constructive feedback.
- Be able to coach both novice and experienced rowers.
- Work effectively with student captains while taking responsibility for the coaching programme.
- Be reliable and able to commit to regular training throughout the academic year.
- Promote a safe, inclusive and competitive training environment.
Relevant coaching qualifications are desirable but not essential.
https://www.gtc.ox.ac.uk/students/college-life/sports-clubs/green-templeton-boat-club/
Expected hours: 12.5 – 21.0 per week
Work Location: In person
