National High Performance Coach (Rowing)

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position Title - Men's Lead Sculling Coach

Reports To - General Manager Performance

Location - Karāpiro, Cambridge, New Zealand

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ORGANISATION OVERVIEW

Rowing New Zealand’s purpose is to lead and support rowing to achieve success at every level, from strong community foundations and clear pathways through to sustained international performance. We aim to be a World leading rowing nation on and off the water.  The High Performance Programme plays a central role in this by preparing athletes, coaches and crews to perform on the world stage, supported by aligned leadership, world-class daily training environments and a commitment to continuous improvement. Through coaching athletes and working closely with our athlete performance support team, this role contributes directly to the delivery of the HP Plan and the performance outcomes Rowing NZ is seeking to achieve up to and including standing our people on the podium at the Olympic Games and Rowing World Championships.

POSITION PURPOSE

The Men's Lead Sculling Coach is responsible for providing world-class coaching and leadership within the Rowing New Zealand High Performance Programme.

As one of four Lead Coaches and a member of the High Performance Team, the Men's Lead Sculling Coach contributes to the successful delivery of the High Performance Programme, working collaboratively with programme leaders, coaches and support staff to create an environment that enables sustained international success and the achievement of Rowing New Zealand's performance objectives.

The role operates across three interconnected leadership levels:

• Contributing to the successful delivery of the High Performance Programme.
• Co-leading the Men's Programme alongside the Men's Sweep Lead Coach.
• Leading the Men's Sculling discipline through technical leadership, athlete development and performance delivery.

Working in close partnership with the Athlete Performance Lead, the Men's Sweep Lead Coach and the Athlete Performance Support (APS) team, the Men's Lead Sculling Coach will lead the creation of a world-class daily training environment that optimises athlete performance, development and wellbeing.

Success in the role will be achieved through a commitment to Rowing NZ's C.A.T.C.H Values of Care, Accountability, Trust Together, Continuous Improvement and Honour, alongside a focus on athlete development, coaching excellence and sustained international performance at the highest level.

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KEY FUNCTIONS

1. High Performance Programme Contribution

As a member of the High Performance Team, the Men's Lead Sculling Coach will:

• Contribute coaching expertise and performance insight to support the successful delivery of the High Performance Programme.
• Work collaboratively with members of the High Performance Team to support implementation of the High Performance Strategy and Performance Plan.
• Contribute to programme-wide planning, prioritisation and decision-making in the best interests of the programme.
• Actively contribute as a member of the Performance Assessment Panel (PAP), assessing athlete and crew performance, contributing to selection discussions, and making evidence-based recommendations in accordance with Rowing NZ Selection Policies and Procedures. Recommendations will support selection decision-making by the relevant Selection Panel.
• Foster a unified high-performance culture aligned with Rowing NZ's C.A.T.C.H Values.
• Share expertise and contribute to the development of athletes, coaches and staff across the wider rowing system.
• Champion innovation, learning and continuous improvement across the programme.
• Actively contribute to the collective success of the High Performance Team beyond discipline-specific responsibilities.

Success Measures

• Positive contribution to implementation of the High Performance Strategy and Performance Plan.
• Strong collaboration across the High Performance Team.
• Positive contribution to programme culture and capability.
• Effective alignment across performance, athlete development, wellbeing, coach development and operational functions.
• Robust and evidence-based contributions to Performance Assessment Panel processes.
• Continuous improvement across the High Performance Programme.

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2. Men's Programme Leadership

Working in partnership with the Men's Sweep Lead Coach, the Men's Lead Sculling Coach will:

• Provide collective leadership of the Men's High Performance Programme.
• Establish and maintain aligned standards, expectations and behaviours across all men's athletes and coaches.
• Share responsibility for athlete development, preparation and performance across the Men's Programme.
• Create a connected Men's Programme that balances discipline-specific requirements with overall programme objectives.
• Collaborate with the Athlete Performance Lead and APS practitioners to ensure a consistent and world-class daily training environment across the Men's Programme.
• Support athlete progression, succession planning and long-term athlete development across the men's pathway.
• Build a culture of collaboration, accountability, excellence and continuous improvement.
• Contribute to athlete selection, campaign planning and programme decisions consistent with programme priorities.

Success Measures

• Consistent athlete experiences across the Men's Programme.
• Effective athlete progression and succession planning.
• Positive athlete engagement and programme culture.
• Strong collaboration between coaches and support staff.
• Achievement of agreed Men's Programme objectives.

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3. Men's Sculling Discipline Leadership

The Men's Lead Sculling Coach will:

• Lead the technical and performance direction of Men's Sculling.
• Develop and deliver discipline plans aligned with programme objectives and performance priorities.
• Lead campaign planning, crew preparation and performance delivery for Men's Sculling crews.
• Coach and develop athletes and crews towards sustained international success.
• Establish and maintain technical models, performance standards and competitive expectations.
• Monitor athlete progression and adapt programmes to optimise performance outcomes.
• Utilise performance analysis, monitoring and insights to inform coaching decisions.
• Drive technical innovation and continual improvement within the discipline.
• Mentor and support coaches operating within Men's Sculling.

Success Measures

• Improvement in boat speed and performance benchmarks.
• Effective progression of athletes through the Men's Sculling pathway.
• High quality campaign planning and delivery.
• Strong coaching capability within the discipline.
• International performances aligned with programme objectives.

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4. Daily Training Environment and Athlete Development

The Men's Lead Sculling Coach will:

• Lead a world-class daily training environment that integrates coaching, athlete performance support and athlete wellbeing.
• Work in close partnership with the Athlete Performance Lead and APS practitioners to optimise athlete development and performance outcomes.
• Value and utilise specialist expertise to inform planning, monitoring and performance decision-making.
• Ensure athletes receive coordinated and effective support across performance, health, wellbeing and personal development domains.
• Foster an athlete-centred environment that develops athlete ownership, accountability and self-leadership.
• Support athletes to develop capability across physical, technical, tactical, personal and leadership domains.
• Promote a culture that supports wellbeing, growth and sustainable high performance.
• Ensure learning from performance support disciplines is integrated into daily coaching practice.

Success Measures

• Delivery of a world-class daily training environment.
• Effective integration of athlete performance support expertise.
• Positive athlete development outcomes.
• Strong athlete engagement and accountability.
• Positive athlete feedback regarding the quality of the performance environment and support services.

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5. Stakeholder Engagement

The Men's Lead Sculling Coach will:

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with athletes, coaches, staff and performance support practitioners.
• Collaborate with pathway coaches, Performance Hub and key stakeholders to support athlete progression.
• Contribute to coach development and knowledge-sharing initiatives across the wider rowing system.
• Support engagement with clubs, regions and pathway programmes where appropriate.
• Represent Rowing New Zealand professionally with domestic and international stakeholders.

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GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The Men's Lead Sculling Coach will

• Demonstrate and actively model Rowing NZ's C.A.T.C.H Values:

Care - Supporting the wellbeing, development and success of athletes and colleagues.

Accountability - Taking responsibility for actions, behaviours and outcomes.

Trust Together - Building strong relationships and working collaboratively in the best interests of the programme.

Continuous Improvement - Seeking opportunities to learn, innovate and improve.

Honour - Acting with integrity, respect and pride in representing Rowing New Zealand.

• Lead in a manner that contributes to a positive, high-performing and inclusive culture.
• Maintain high professional and ethical standards.
• Comply with all Rowing NZ policies and procedures.
• Undertake ongoing professional development.
• Promote and maintain a safe and healthy working environment.
• Responsibly manage programme resources and equipment.

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KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Internal

• General Manager Performance
• HP Operations Manager
• Athlete Performance Lead
• Athlete Development Manager
• Athlete Wellbeing Lead
• Coach Development Manager
• Lead Coaches
• Athlete Performance Support Team
• National Selection Panel
• Rowing NZ Staff

External

• Key HPSNZ Personnel
• Performance Hub Staff
• Clubs and Regional Associations
• Domestic and International Coaches
• World Rowing and International Stakeholders

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PERSON SPECIFICATION

Experience

• Proven experience coaching athletes and crews training and competing at international elite level rowing.
• Demonstrated success within high-performance sporting environments.
• Experience leading coaching programmes and multidisciplinary performance environments.
• Experience developing athletes through multiple stages of the performance pathway.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a collaborative leadership model.
• Experience working within integrated athlete performance support systems.

Knowledge and Qualifications

• High-level coaching qualification or equivalent international coaching experience.
• Deep understanding of rowing performance and athlete development.
• Knowledge of contemporary coaching methodology, planning and performance systems.
• Understanding of athlete wellbeing and holistic athlete development.
• Understanding of multidisciplinary performance environments and integrated support models.

Key Competencies

• Collaborative leadership
• Athlete-centred coaching
• Strategic thinking
• Performance planning and campaign delivery
• Communication and relationship management
• Coaching and mentoring
• Decision making and judgement
• Ability to lead and influence within a multidisciplinary performance environment
• Adaptability and problem-solving
• Continuous improvement mindset

Personal Attributes

• Integrity and accountability
• Humility and willingness to learn
• Commitment to excellence
• Strong work ethic
• Collaborative mindset
• Resilience and adaptability
• Commitment to Rowing NZ's C.A.T.C.H Values

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PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES

The Men's Lead Sculling Coach will contribute to:

• Sustained international competitiveness and podium performances at World Championships and the Olympic Games
• Development of world-class athletes and crews.
• Development of coaches and performance capability across the rowing system.
• A connected and collaborative High Performance Programme.
• A world-class daily training environment.
• Strong athlete engagement, wellbeing and culture.
• Delivery of Rowing New Zealand's performance objectives and long-term performance ambitions.