Seeking: Casual Rowing Coach

Casual Rowing Coach – Richmond Rowing Club

Richmond Rowing Club is a community rowing club that strives to provide opportunities to participate, develop and compete in a friendly and inclusive community on and off water.

The role

Richmond Rowing Club has enjoyed regular appearances and success at Vic State Championships and Australian National Masters Championships.

We have opportunities available for enthusiastic and experienced Rowing Coaches to work with both our Development and Senior Programs, with availability to work throughout the week and weekends. You will work closely with the Head of Rowing and Senior Coach to coach, mentor and contribute to the club rowing program.

These roles play a critical part in ensuring that the training schedules and guidelines established by the Coaches are delivered in a professional manner whilst role modelling the behavior and standards expected of Richmond Rowing Clubs reputation and ethos.

About You

To be considered for a rowing coach position, it is essential that you have:

  • Level 1 or 2 Rowing Coaching Accreditation
  • Previous experience in coaching a rowing team with successful results will be highly regarded
  • Exceptional organisational and time management skills
  • Strong communication skills; both written and verbal
  • Displays a high level of self-awareness and the ability to maintain positive relationships
  • A current National Criminal Record Check or WWCC
  • Preferred Level 1 First Aid Qualification
  • Boat License preferred, but not essential

It is expected that Rowing Coaches must attend all training sessions (weekdays, weekends), camps and Professional Development activities organised by the Head of Rowing. If this sounds like the role for you then don’t hesitate, apply today

Please ensure that you provide a cover letter addressed to Christine Sullivan, The Head of Rowing:
[email protected]
With a resume and qualifications/accreditations as part of your application.

Applications Close 24/01/23

2021 Christmas Lunch & Club Races

It was a perfect sunny day on the 12th for our club races followed by Christmas lunch. After a morning training session our Head of Rowing, Christine, published the crews for club races and it was game on! Four crews eight fought out the heats, followed by a final. Afterwards members and friends dined in the club decorated with the famous black and yellow Christmas tree…followed by drinks on our fabulous deck in the sunshine.

the winning crew(s)


The winning crew of the day:
cox: Derek
Keith
John C
Michael G
Alex P
Jack H
Millie
Anthea
Kerrin/ Chelsea

Big thanks to Stu & Alex for running the races from the bank! And Amy for organising lunch afterwards, as well as the bar staff volunteering from Karen, Christine, Kathy, John C, and Barry!

RRC Presentation Night Awards 2021

After a postponement we were finally able to hold the Richmond Rowing Club 2021 Presentation Night on the third of July.

We celebrated our Male and Female rowers and Coxswain of the year. These prestigious awards are determined through participation and success at regattas, club races and club time trials. The winners on the evening were:

Mal Scott Award – Male Club Rower of the Year – Dennis Beck

John Sawyer – Female Club Rower of the Year – Kirsty Fergie

The Don Edwards, Cox of the year award was won by Derek Begg

Female Masters Rower of the Year – Michelle Joy

Male Masters Rower of the Year – Leigh Sullivan

The President’s Award was presented to Jack Hellerstedt. Whilst Jack has only been a member for 2 years he has taken an active role coordinating the men’s squad, setting up the 8@8 session, weekly training plans and regatta entries. He is also always willing to jump in any boat to make sure crews get out and is frequently a late minute coxswain call up. Jack is also a great motivator to keep people engaged with the club on and off water.  

The Hendley Family Mixed Quad Time Trial was presented to Dennis Beck, Geraldine Goss, Karen Doggett, John Carey and Derek Begg (coxswain).

The Keith Millar male coxed four Round the Island time trial was won by Dennis Beck, Liam Lovett, Ethan Lovett, Jon Roberts and Derek Begg (coxswain).

The Keith Millar female coxed four Round the Island time trial was won by Chelsea Crouser, Kirsty Fergie, Xanthe Hadfield, Melanie Perkins and Aline Dejeagher (coxswain).

The Jim Barton Female Tub Single time trial was won by Kirsty Fergie.

Good luck to our rowers competing at the National Championships

Michelle Joy and Kate Dyball, coached by Dario Sportelli, will be representing Richmond at the 2021 Australian Rowing Championships at Lake Barrington in the Club Women’s Double Scull. Following a very successful Victorian State Championships campaign, we wish them the best of luck competing against Australia’s best crews in Tasmania.

There will be a live stream of the races accessible via the RV website with Michelle and Kate competing on Thursday afternoon and Sunday Morning. Hopefully everyone is able to get online and watch them do the club proud.

Victorian States Championships 2021

At the end of February the club headed to Nagambie with high hopes of a success and States taking place this year, one year on from a blown out States at Ballarat and a pandemic disrupted season.

There was a fantastic turn out of rowers at all levels from people competing the 2km course at open, a and b grade and the very competitive c and d grade events over 1km.

It’s fair to say that Richmond had amazing success with 9 Golds, 3 Silver and 6 third places which saw us come 5th overall in the medal table. Congratulations to all involved, athletes, coxswains, coaches and supporters.

A full list of medals is included below

Gold

FB2-     Kirsty Fergie, Xanthe Hadfield

FB2X    Kate Dyball, Zoe Maxwell

FC2-     Kirsty Fergie, Xanthe Hadfield

FD1X    Lily Innes-Irons

FD2-     Alex Kinsman, Lily Innes-Irons

FD4+    Alex Huang, Alex Kinsman, Chelsea Crouser (cox), Frederique Le Bescond, Melanie Perkins

FD4X+ Alex Huang, Frederique Le Bescond, Kathryn Spinnler-Jenkins, Sarah Houghton (cox), Victoria Petersen

FO2-     Kirsty Fergie, Xanthe Hadfield

MD8+   Ethan Lovett, Jack Austin, Jack Hellerstedt, Ka Ki Wong (cox), Kim Begelhole, Leigh Mckee, Matthew Lowe, Pavel Oborin, Richard Healy

Silver

FA2X    Kate Dyball, Michelle Joy

FD2X    Alex Huang, Victoria Petersen

MD4X+ Derek Begg/Zoe Kral (cox), Ethan Lovett, Jack Hellerstedt, Michael Gehling, Richard Healy

Bronze

FA1X    Kate Dyball

FA4+    Chelsea Crouser, Derek Begg (cox), Melanie Perkins, Michelle Joy, Xanthe Hadfield

FD8+    Alex Kinsman, Chelsea Crouser, Dana Hill, Frederique Le Bescond, Kirsty Fergie, Lily Innes-Irons, Melanie Perkins, Will Golding (cox), Zoe Maxwell

FO2X    Kate Dyball, Michelle Joy

FO4X-  Karen Doggett, Melanie Perkins, Michelle Joy, Zoe Maxwell

MD4+   Derek Begg (cox), Ethan Lovett, Jack Hellerstedt, Pavel Oborin, Richard Healy

Thank you to John Carey and Jack Hellerstadt for their take on the weekend

Thursday boat loading

One last on-water session for the MD4x’s, some great race-pace action between the MD4x and MC4+ before finishing up the loading spearheaded by most of the women’s squad.

Friday

A day of rest, hydration and meandering gazes towards any stretch of water. Deep inflections of what it will take to win at Nagambie, which crews will we face up against and will I get an egg & bacon roll or venture towards the McGambie. 

Saturday

See Friday…..

Sunday

Perfect weather, pretty hot and rising already from quiet early.  No clouds no wind. Foxhole cafe just SW of the water tower is a must-stop on the way to the course. Offers a tiny slice of the Irish-Aussie experience, with the owner hailing from Monaghan.

Cheer squad extraordinaire featuring: Amy Catlin, Lachie Stewart, Charlotte North-Coombes, Shern Timmins, Roberts parentals and Basil (the dog, not our wonderful London-based former coach).

MD4+ Jack H/Ethan/Rich/Pavel/Derek was a four boat final with the school-boys taking it off the line from the start. Edged out Carrum to just make it onto the podium.

Egg & bacon eat your heart out. This year’s BBQ featured a top-shelf gourmet snag on the menu, beef or lamb, would love to see this appear as a regular event.

RRC MD4x+ were split across the two heats, hard fought for Matt/ Jack A/ Leigh/ Kim/ Christine (?) just missing the cut by 7 seconds.  Jack H/ Ethan/ Rich/ Mikey G with Banks guest coxswain Zoë Kral stayed on Melbourne for a comfortable second place ticket to the final.

RRC MC4+ Denis/John C/Liam/Jon R with Derek (cox) left in the dust by Ballarat Clarendon who stormed home in a blitz of backsplash, completing the 1,000m course in 3.02 minutes. The lads were happy with their own performance, coming 5th in a time of 3.23 minutes. 

The much anticipated M/F D8+ tête-à-tête had it all: yellow card for unlawful entry to the course, mid-flight cable repair to save Keith from having to race boxless, and the year-ten Carey Grammar crew first down the course by a comfortable 6 second margin to remind us that two coxed quads does not-quite make an eight.

Derek stepped back in for the MD4x+ final. It was anyone’s race for the first 500 with RRC trading in some grace for power at the start to stay in it, but Melbourne dug deep and couldn’t be caught. Satisfying second after seeing the late arvo heat catch up with Melbourne three-seat on the way back in.

Monday boat unloading

A largely uneventful affair with almost 2 trailer-loads of boats being unloaded in 56 minutes and 55 seconds.

Summary

33 athletes, 18 medals from 36 events, 9 gold, 3 silver, 6 bronze.

5th in the overall medal table; just behind Uni Melb! Massive effort- go Richmond!

Great Performance by RRC at AIRC 2020

Sunday 25th October saw a large turn out of Richmond rowers at the Australian Indoor Rowing Championships. Certainly not our usual kind of regatta however after so many weeks in lockdown any competition was welcome.

Throughout the preceding weeks we had been training hard on zoom with the ever motivating coaches Dario Sportelli and Will Golding. Having built the 4 sessions per fortnight into our working from home schedules it was great to catch up with other club members so frequently and still be able to train as a team. In the lead up to the event we all had our software updated, internet connections tested, AB cables at the ready and our ergos cleaned and prepped.

We started the day itself off with a yoga session from Gerry, which was a perfect way to ease into the day, settle the nerves, keep time moving on and ‘be present’ for our races.

It was certainly a different atmosphere to what we are used to, being alone in our houses getting race ready but another thank you to all that logged on to the zoom channel to offer their support.

First up were our coaches themselves, Dario and Will competing in the 19 -29 Men’s 2000m (Will in lightweight). Dario came away with a silver and Will a gold – setting the tone for the day.

At 11am it was the turn of the girls 2000m. Playlists at the ready and we were off, the 2k plans were in place we knew what we had to do. Despite feeling prepared we went through the whole 2k rollercoaster, yeah I’ve got this, keep pushing, when is this going to end, what the heck, can I just stop?, why are we doing this, stay strong, only 300m left, let’s go!

And the PBs and medals came rolling in.

Congratulations to all the competitors and medal winners

Chelsea Crouser 19-29 2k Lightweight – Gold

Xanthe Hadfield 19-29 2k – Gold

Kirsty Fergie 30-39 2k – Bronze

Sarah Hardy 50-54 2k – New PB

Geraldine Goss 54-59 2k

Phil Munson 65-59 2k

And a special mention to Helen Pearce 40-49 2k – Gold plus a new Australian Record.

And as if that wasn’t enough a short recovery time and (for what seemed like a good idea at the time to do both) it was the 1000m

Alex Kinsman 19-29 1k – Silver

Kirsty Fergie 30-39 1k – Bronze

Helen Pearce 40-49 1k – Gold

Cynthia Masters 55-59 1k – Silver

Michael Gehling 30-39 1k – New PB

Pavel Obrin 30-39LW 1k – New PB

Campbell Mayne 19-29 1k

Then on to the 500m

Xanthe Hadfield 19-29

Geraldine Goss 54-59

Finally, to end the day the 2000m relay where Richmond picked up

Richmond Women – Ainsley Raggatt, Xanthe Hadfield, Chelsea Crouser, Kirsty Fergie 19 – 39 2k Silver

Richmond Women – Susanna Mullner, Sarah Hardy, Geraldine Goss, Helen Pearce 40+ 2k Silver

Richmond Men – John Carey, Will Golding, Dario Sportelli and Michael Gehling 19 – 39 2k

Richmond Mixed – Pavel Oborin, Campbell Mayne, Alex Kinsman, Amy Catlin 19-39 2k Gold

We ended the evening with a zoom call to raise a glass to ourselves and congratulate each other on what was an intense but rewarding period of training. A big thank you must go to Dario and Will for their ongoing encouragement and dedication to the coaching sessions, and to the club for loaning out the ergos to give us the opportunity to train. We hope our new found strength can be put into good use on the water and look forward to the next time we will be able to race. Go tigers!

Kirsty Fergie

RRC and TopRow Melbourne partner to grow club membership

Richmond Rowing Club and TopRow Melbourne are partnering to introduce new rowers to the sport and focus on long term member growth for the club.

We have a strong history of running Learn to Row courses and a large number of our members have come to the sport in this way. The logistics of running Learn to Row courses with a volunteer coaching group can be challenging with competing priorities. Part of our strategy is to grow our member numbers to maintain a vibrant and financially sound club, this becomes even more important as we look to the impacts of COVID-19 on our operations.

As a result we have taken the Committee has agreed to partner with TopRow Melbourne (and Will Golding who is the face of TopRow Melbourne). Under this arrangement they will run frequent small Learn to Row courses from the club to focus on utilising our resources at quieter times. Once rowers graduate from TopRow Melbourne they will have the opportunity to join Richmond Rowing Club in our Development Squad and continue their rowing journey.

We have allocated 2 dedicated Learn to Row sessions into our rowing sessions as TopRow Melbourne trials operations over the coming months and starts advertising. These were communicated in our return to rowing plan along with ad-hoc part sessions depending on demand. This will be a similar amount of time/people as if we were running our own learn to row program.

We think this is a great opportunity for the club and TopRow to grow together. We also wish Will Golding every success with TopRow, he also continues to be an member of our RRC coaching group.

RRC COVID-safe rowing requirements – Updated 28 July 2021

RRC have set out the following guidelines that must be observed by all members who choose to row/attend the club from 28 July 2021 until updated, a failure to follow these guidelines could result in fines to the individual and club, but would lead the Committee to consider ceasing members ability to row until we are comfortable the guidelines can be met by all.

RRC Requirements for a safe return to rowing:

  • COVID Check-in Marshal’s must ensure attendees to the club check in with the QR code. For coached sessions, coaches will fill the roll of COVID-check in Marshal. For uncoached sessions the first person to sign up on sports noticeboard is the designated COVID Check-in Marshal. The key issue is to ensure athletes QR Code check in and the Marshal is there to facilitate compliance. Without COVID Check-in Marshal’s the club can not reopen – this is an essential requirement.
  • RRC members can only attend designated RRC sessions – MLC is our tenant and a valuable partner of RRC, we have agreed designated time RRC and MLC will hold sessions. Should session allocations/attendance at the club not be followed, breaches of the headcount limit within the Government regulations could result. See below for session allocation times that must be adhered to.
  • Social distancing must be maintained including keeping 1.5 meters apart, not congregating within or outside of the shed. There should be no physical greetings, high 5’s, spitting etc.
  • Frequent hand washing and good hygiene is requirement to be observed – wash/sanitise hands before and after each session, couch/sneeze in the crook of the elbow, avoid touching face or surfaces if not required, follow hygiene signs within club
  • Monday Boxercise may be held in the main hall subject to electronic sign up and headcount limits for indoor activities.
  • Toilet access is availablechange room access is available, showers are allowed to be used. The change rooms are small and have limited headcount access. It is advised to dress for training before arriving at the club. Valuables should be left at home in case change room access is difficult. There should be no shared items of kit, including towels, drink bottles or spanners. Given the change room sizes and headcount caps we ask that shower use is minimised during busy times.
  • On water training sessions will be limited to 35 rowers – See below for rostering and sign up arrangements to enable this on a fair basis. It will not be possible to turn up to the club to row without signing up in advance so the 35 person limit is not exceeded. Private boats will not be in excess of this number, the 35 person limit and rostering/sign up requirements will be across the club whether using club or private equipment.
  • All boat types are allowed to be used. All members must sign up on sportsnoticeboard and sign out in the boat sign out sheet to track attendance and boat usage should contact tracing be required.
  • Masks must be worn indoors and outdoors when not exercising. This includes the boat bays and between the club and the water.
  • All equipment must be thoroughly washed – following the guidance posters in the boat shed for cleaning of boats, oars, gym equipment and ergos etc.
  • Members are required to clean frequently touched club fixtures at the end of the session. Whilst we engage paid cleaners, we cannot have them present multiple times a day, members are therefore required to clean frequently touched fixtures after each session including the areas of Boat bays, Back Entrance, Disabled toilet, Stairs, Toilets, Main Hall and Classroom and Gym. Complete the QR code sign out to confirm your crew has accounted for cleaning.
  • Every session is required to have a safety officer to oversee these requirements – this role will be taken on by a coach if present, if not the first person to sign up to a session (see below) will act as the safety officer. All members who agree to row must be willing to take on this role so the club can demonstrate its compliance, if not please do not attend the training session. The RRC Safety Officer Checklist is attached.
  • If you are unwell or display any symptoms you must not attend the club to train. Members should consider their own wellbeing and that of others when considering whether to row. By attending and signing out a boat you are confirming you do not feel unwell and are not displaying any COVID-19 symptoms. If you have a positive test in relation to COVID-19 please let the Committee know immediately so we can assess any possible contact with club members and we may take appropriate action regarding club facilities.
  • If you have a positive test in relation to COVID-19 please let the Committee know immediately so we can assess your contact with club members and take appropriate action regarding club facilities.

On water rostering and sign up requirements

  • So we can adhere to headcount requirements on water training sessions are capped at 50 people. To limit cross over of members between sessions the following applies:
  • Sessions will be 2 hours in length, however they will be scheduled in 2.5 hour blocks to allow for no crossover of members, therefore sessions should finish 2 hours after start time i.e. 6am session starts at 6am and finished at 8am.
  • Sign up is required by sportsnoticeboard. We have created 50 sign ups in the “Club Resources” called “COVID Training Session #01, COVID Training Session #02……” . Book one of these 50 Club Resources in the name of the person rowing for the session you are planning to attend, also book the boat you plan to row (if it is a private boat only book one of the 50 Club Resources. Once these 50 Club Resources are booked the session is full.
  • The first person to sign up must sign up as “COVID Training Session #01” and take on the role of the safety officer (see above). Signing up as a later number to avoid this role is not appropriate, should you see this occur please advise the individual and the Committee so this can be rectified.
  • If you do not have a Club Resource booked for a session do not turn up hoping to row (or for any other purpose) – you will be breaching the Victorian Government guidelines and putting our ability to operate as a club at risk.
  • On arrival at the club sign in to register your attendance for contact tracing purposes using the QR codes posted at the back door, near the boat bay doors, in the mens and womens change rooms
  • Completion of the boat sign out sheet at the club is also required to manage on water safety requirements

Ergo usage at the club

  • 8 ergo’s will be available for use at the club
  • The ergo’s are only to be used at the club at an RRC session time when there is no function on at the club
  • They must be booked in advance on sportstnoticeboard via the Ergo resource slots using your contact details for contact tracing (they are in excess of the 50 on water headcount above). Sign in via QR code at the club is also required.
  • They are to be used on the deck, facing the river in 2 lines of 4. A 1.5 meter distance between any point of the erg must be maintained at all times. Space should be allowed to move the ergs around at the end of the session if other people are still using them without coming within 1.5 meters of the other ergs.
  • Should the weather conditions mean that outdoor usage is not possible, the ergo’s may be used in the main hall/classroom. The ergo’s should be positioned a minimum of 1.5 meters apart.
  • If used in the main hall all sliding doors must be open to improve airflow, air conditioning should be used rather than fans to improve airflow
  • Ergs are to be stored in the main hall, moved onto the deck and returned to the main hall. When setting up for functions caterers will store the ergs in the gym during functions
  • Cleaning instructions are provided near the ergs with appropriate cleaning products, please follow the cleaning instructions before and after each session
  • Any coaching is to be 1.5 meters away from all athletes using ergs, coaches should not touch the athelete or the erg. 

Gym usage at the club

  • Gym usage is limited to 6 people at a time (consistent with 1 person per 8m2 rule)
  • Gym training sessions must be booked in advance on sportstnoticeboard via the COVID Gym Session slots, using your contact details for contact tracing (they are in excess of the on water and ergo headcounts). Sign in via QR code at the club is also required.
  • So touch point cleaning can be performed at the end of a session and limiting cross over of members using the gum, we are also implementing session times for gym usage. See table below for session times.
  • Every member wishing to use the gym must have completed the online Australia Government infection control training – your certificate must be provided to the Secretary ([email protected]https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/covid-19-infection-control-training
  • To improve airflow the sliding door to the outside is to be opened when using the gym, airconditioning should be used rather than fans to improve airflow (based on guidance from Fitness Australia)
  • There are 6 stations marked out with tape in the gym to allow appropriate space (2 deadlift stations, 2 bench stations, lats machine and pull up/weight cage equipment). Equipment is not to be moved from these positions, with gym users facing away from each other. One person is to use equipment/machine at a time and cleaning is required before another person can use the equipment. 
  • The Ergbike and Spin bike are to be moved outside to the deck for usage – this are not to be used in the gym
  • Members are to maintain 1.5m distance at all times
  • All equipment used and surfaces touched must be cleaned before and after use – see sign off sheets within the gym and detailed guidance on posters with appropriate cleaning products etc

Designated on water session times

 MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturdaySunday
6:00-8.15 amRRCRRCRRCRRCRRC MLCRRC
8:30 – 10:45amRRCRRCRRCRRCRRCMLCRRC
11:00 am – 1.15pmRRCRRCRRCRRCRRCMLC to 12:00RRC
1:30 – 3:30pmRRCRRCRRCRRCRRCRRC from 12:15RRC
3:30 – 6.00 pmMLCMLCMLCMLCMLCRRCRRC
6;15 – 9:00pmRRCRRCRRCRRCRRCRRC RRC

Designated gym and ergo session times

 Daily
5:30-7:00amRRC
7:15 – 8:45amRRC
9:00  – 10.30amRRC
10:45am–12:15pmRRC
12:30 – 2:00 pmRRC
2:15 – 3:30pmRRC
3:45 – 6.00 pmMLC
6.15 – 7:30 pmRRC  
7:45 – 9:15pmRRC

All members must follow these guidelines, if not we will be required to close the club. We will regularly review the guidelines and provide updates where appropriate.

Attachments

RRC awards at the 2020 RV AGM

I am very pleased to share with the Richmond Rowing Club membership that we placed 2nd in the RV Club Premiership for the 2019/20 year.

This is an excellent result for all involved with the club. As you may recall one of our 4 objectives guiding our 5 year vision was to place in the Top 5 of the RV Club Championship. It is great to know we have achieved this only 3 years into this 5 year period.

Well done to all the rowers, coxswains, coaches, volunteers and supporters who were part of this achievement and good luck for the coming year where we hope to back this up.

I would also like to congratulate Derek Begg who placed 3rd in the 2019/20 RV Male Coxswain of the Year Award. It is great to see Derek recognised in this way, he is a dedicated coxswain and coach for the club and it is wonderful we have someone of his experience as part of the club. Well done Derek!!!