Ireland readies for World Rowing coaches conference

To be staged in Limerick, Ireland from 1 – 4 November 2012, the conference features some of the stand-out coaches from the London Olympics – coach of the German men’s eight, Ralf Holtmeyer and the British women’s team coaches, Paul Thompson, Robin Williams and Paul Reedy.  

Holtmeyer led the German men’s eight on a unbroken winning streak that began in 2009 and continued, unbroken, through to the London Olympics. The British women’s coaching team finished London not only as the most successful Olympics for British women’s rowing but they also earned the first Olympic gold medals ever for women’s rowing in Great Britain.

Denmark’s Thomas Poulsen will also be talking about Danish lightweight rowing. In London Denmark featured in all three of the lightweight event finals finishing very successfully with gold, bronze and a fourth place.

“It is fantastic that the coaches will hear the four year story of five Olympic gold medal coaches,” says FISA executive committee member John Boultbee. “The issue of rowers transitioning from life as a rower to life after rowing will be examined and there is also the opportunity to discuss some important issues with FISA, including seeding, fairness and the World Championship events at the end of the Olympiad.”

An annual event at the coaches conference is the gala dinner where the 2012 World Rowing Awards will be presented. This year it will be held on 2 November in the 15th Century Knapogue Castle. The awards include; Male and Female Crew of the Year, Adaptive Crew of the Year, Coach of the Year and the Distinguished Service to Rowing medal.

The World Rowing Coaches Conference has been held in Ireland once before, also in Limerick. This time the venue is the Strand Hotel and local organiser, Kieran Kerr says the venue was chosen partly for its outlook over the River Shannon.

“It overlooks a number of local rowing clubs,” says Kerr. “There are eight rowing clubs in Limerick. The most active is St Michaels Rowing Club which is home to World Champions Sam lynch and Sinead Jennings. Limerick was founded by the Vikings so we have a long rowing tradition!”

To reserve a spot at the conference, registration must be submitted by 19 October, 2012.

For more information on the conference and registration details click here.