Becoming Director of Rowing of an Independent School has not been a matter of being in the right place at the right time. Ever since I injured my back in 1995 I have been working towards a position such as this. This article is just part of the trip I have made to get to where I am now.
1995
After a very successful junior career, I progressed to the senior ranks
at the National University of Galway were I rowed in the top eight for
the first six months of my University life. However, in February 1995 I
started having very serious problems with my back and after many
consultations with doctors and physiotherapists and 2 MRI scans later,
it was discovered that I had damaged two discs in my lower back. I was
immediately told that I had to give up the sport that I loved so dearly.
Although heart-broken at the time, I decided that I wished to continue in the sport as a coach. I undertook the coaching of the Novice women at the University and soon began to see great strides in their fitness and rowing ability. After a slow start to the season the crew made massive improvements and became the Irish University Champions and the Irish National Champions.
1996-1997
This success gave me the urge to achieve more at a higher level and in
1996 I undertook the training and coaching of the senior womens squad
at the University. Unfortunately, the crew and I didnt have the same
impact on the regatta scene as we did in 1995; however, progress was
made and in 1997 the crew won the Irish University Championships, the
Irish National Championships and were just beaten in the final of
college eights at Women's Henley by 1 foot. The crew were also selected
to represent Ireland at the Home Internationals in Nottingham. The crew
went on to win comfortably.
1997-1999
After this taste of success, I began to think that I wanted to make it a
career. I enrolled to study sports science at University College,
Chester, and in 1997 began my crusade to professional coaching. I began
coaching at the University and soon the rowing club was winning races at
home and abroad (at Galway Head of the River). We were awarded Club of
the Year in 1999 for our outstanding performances (unbeaten all season)
and several of the women went on to represent England both at the
Commonwealth Games Regatta and the Home Internationals.
During my years with the University Boat Club I also made contacts with the local rowing clubs and put myself about somewhat. I became friends with Neville Orme at King's School Chester and he soon became my mentor. I learnt a huge amount from Neville and his knowledge of the sport helped me develop my ideas and bounce them off him. I coached a boys' junior 16 coxed four during my time at King's and that crew went on to gain a bronze medal at the National Schools Regatta in 1999.
2000-2001
Having completed my degree in Sports Science I began searching for
coaching positions. I applied for the Gap year assistant position at
Monkton Combe School. Fortunately I was accepted and I coached the
senior girls for the year. The crew had a fantastic year and won many
regattas and went on the following years to perform at an even higher
standard.
The experience and knowledge that I gained from David Conington, Julian Bewick and the other coaches gave me a great platform to spring to the next level of professional coaching.
2002-2004
After reluctantly leaving Monkton, I was employed by the ARA as a
scholarship coach based in the North West. I coached at Runcorn RC,
Liverpool Victoria RC and Hollingworth Lake RC. I also studied for an
MSc in exercise and nutrition science. The exposure to different
athletes, coaches, training regimes, techniques and philosophies gave me
a huge insight into rowing and with the knowledge I gained from the
masters degr That brings us to the present where I have progressed to Director of
Rowing. A scary prospect but one that I face with confidence. My career
as a professional coach has been no accident. I made a choice, I
investigated how to make that choice become a reality and then I worked
hard to achieve my long-term goals. A story of rags to riches some might
say but anyone can achieve their goals if they are willing to work hard
for them. Hopefully with the help of the coaches at Monkton Combe School
Boat Club, the students will achieve their goals.
However, the story doesnt end there. I have not stopped learning. I do not know everything about rowing and there is always more to learn, always someone who can teach you something, improvements can always be made. When the time comes for me to leave Monkton I will be a much more rounded coach owing to all that I can learn and all that I will be exposed to.
Gordon Reay - Director of Rowing