HEAD ROWING COACH Job

Somerset College, a leading independent co-educational day and boarding school nestled in the beautiful Cape Winelands, is actively seeking a Head Rowing Coach to join their team. This exciting role, commencing on Wednesday, 1 April 2026, requires a passionate, experienced, and dynamic individual ready to lead and further develop their successful rowing programme, inspiring excellence both on and off the water. If you’re looking for a challenging yet rewarding position in a vibrant educational setting, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

Detailed list of vacancy key details

• Name of the school: Somerset College
• Position: Head Rowing Coach
• Commencement Date: Wednesday, 1 April 2026
• Closing Date for Applications: 26 November 2025
• School type: Independent, co-educational day and boarding school
• Educational levels offered: Grade 000 to Matric (IEB and Cambridge AS and A-levels)
• Key Responsibilities:
  • Provide high-level coaching, mentorship, and development for athletes and assistant coaches.
  • Shape the overall direction, culture, and performance standards of the Somerset College Rowing Club.
  • Deliver structured pre-season and in-season training programmes that support holistic student growth.
  • Coach on four weekdays and Saturdays during the rowing season, maintaining technical, physiological, and safety standards.
  • Ensure all safeguarding standards are met and implemented.
  • Plan, develop, and administer all phases of the rowing programme, including budget management, practice scheduling, travel, procurement, and recruitment of student-athletes, managers, and coaches in conjunction with the Master in Charge (MIC).
  • Be committed to a philosophy that emphasizes academic priorities for student-athletes.
  • Communicate the rowing strategy and progress effectively to the parent community.
• Programme & Performance Management:
  • Oversee transparent athlete and crew selection processes and maintain detailed performance records.
  • Plan and manage training camps and regattas, ensuring efficient logistics and fair selections.
  • Supervise equipment management, including boat rigging, loading, and maintenance.
  • Collaborate with the MIC of Rowing on coach recruitment, evaluation, and remuneration.
• Administration & Stakeholder Engagement:
  • Manage daily club operations, including equipment, communication, and scheduling.
  • Coordinate race calendars with Western Cape Rowing (WCR) and RowSA, ensuring compliance.
  • Represent Somerset College at WCR and RowSA meetings.
  • Provide strategic input on the long-term direction and alignment of the rowing programme.
  • Maintain positive relationships and opportunities to collaborate with neighbouring schools and rowing clubs.
  • Interact with support services and be involved in public relations/fundraising and promotional activities.
• Qualifications, Experience and Prerequisites:
  • Proven experience as a rowing coach, preferably at a competitive school or club level.
  • Strong leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
  • In-depth knowledge of rowing techniques, training methodologies, and safety standards.
  • Familiarity with RowSA regulations and competitive rowing structures.
  • A coaching qualification and/or teaching background will be advantageous.
  • Must possess and maintain current certifications in first aid, CPR, and AED use (proof within 30 days of employment).
  • Must have relevant RowSA coaching accreditations and levels (FISA accreditation is advantageous).
  • A valid Police Clearance Certificate (not older than 1 month) is a prerequisite.
• Institution details:
  • E-mail: [email protected]
  • Address: Bredell Road, Somerset West, Western Cape, South Africa
  • Website: http://www.somersetcollege.org

Simple summary of the vacancy

Somerset College, a vibrant independent school established in 1997, is searching for a dedicated Head Rowing Coach. This is an exciting and impactful position, one of those teaching jobs that offers a real chance to shape young athletes’ lives. The successful candidate will be instrumental in leading and advancing the college’s well-established rowing programme, focusing on both high-level athletic performance and the holistic development of student-athletes.

The role demands a strong leader who can not only coach effectively on the water during four weekdays and Saturdays of the season but also manage all aspects of the programme off the water. This includes everything from developing structured training plans and overseeing equipment to managing budgets, coordinating logistics for camps and regattas, and ensuring strict adherence to safeguarding standards. Communication with parents and collaboration with the Master in Charge (MIC) of Rowing, as well as external bodies like Western Cape Rowing (WCR) and RowSA, are also key components of the role.

Somerset College values academic achievement as much as sporting prowess, so the ideal candidate will understand the demands placed on student-athletes and be committed to helping them excel in both areas. While a teaching background isn’t mandatory, it is considered advantageous, highlighting the educational nature of this coaching opportunity. This is more than just a coaching role; it’s about fostering a positive club culture, upholding the school’s values, and inspiring a new generation of rowers. Such school-based teaching jobs, even in a coaching capacity, are incredibly rewarding and central to a student’s overall growth.

The college is an equal opportunity employer and reserves the right not to make an appointment. They also adhere to POPIA guidelines, ensuring the confidentiality of applicant information for recruitment purposes.

How to apply for this post

• Prepare a comprehensive letter of application.
• Compile your up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Provide the contact details for three professional references.
• Email these documents confidentially to the Human Resources Officer.
• The email address for applications is [email protected].
• Ensure your application reaches the college by the closing date of 26 November 2025.
• You can find more details about this vacancy at https://www.isasa.org/vacancies/listing/head-rowing-coach/.

Q&A for potential candidates

• Q: What are the absolute must-have qualifications for this role?
  A: You must have proven experience as a rowing coach, preferably at a competitive school or club level, relevant RowSA coaching accreditations, current First Aid, CPR, and AED certifications (with proof within 30 days of employment), and a valid Police Clearance Certificate (not older than 1 month).
• Q: Is a teaching background essential, or is pure coaching experience sufficient?
  A: While a teaching background or coaching qualification is advantageous, the primary requirement is proven competitive rowing coaching experience. Your ability to guide, teach, and communicate effectively, especially regarding academic priorities for student-athletes, is highly valued.
• Q: How significant is leadership in this position?
  A: Leadership is critical. You’ll be expected to shape the overall direction and culture of the Rowing Club, mentor assistant coaches, and inspire excellence in athletes, requiring strong leadership, organisational, and interpersonal skills.
• Q: What is the expected time commitment during the rowing season?
  A: You will be required to coach on four weekdays and Saturdays throughout the rowing season, ensuring high standards in technical, physiological, and safety aspects.
• Q: How can I demonstrate my understanding of academic priorities for student-athletes?
  A: In your application, highlight experiences where you’ve successfully balanced athletic demands with academic responsibilities for students, perhaps through mentoring or flexible training schedules. Emphasise your commitment to their holistic success.
• Q: What kind of involvement will I have with external rowing organisations?
  A: You will be responsible for coordinating race calendars with Western Cape Rowing (WCR) and RowSA, ensuring compliance with regulations, and representing Somerset College at their meetings. Maintaining positive relationships with other clubs is also important.
• Q: What should I include in my letter of application to stand out?
  A: Beyond outlining your qualifications, express your passion for rowing, your coaching philosophy, and specific examples of how you’ve developed successful programmes or individual athletes. Detail how your vision aligns with Somerset College’s values and commitment to holistic student growth.
• Q: What is the college’s stance on equipment management and safety?
  A: You will be directly responsible for supervising equipment management, including boat rigging, loading, and maintenance, and ensuring all safety standards are rigorously met and implemented in all aspects of the programme.
• Q: What kind of strategic input is expected from the Head Rowing Coach?
  A: You will be expected to provide strategic input on the long-term direction of the rowing programme, ensuring it aligns with the school’s broader values and objectives, fostering sustained growth and success.
• Q: How important are fundraising and public relations activities for this role?
  A: While not a primary responsibility, you will be expected to interact with support services and be involved in appropriate public relations, fundraising, and promotional activities to benefit the rowing programme.
• Q: What if I have FISA accreditation instead of just RowSA?
  A: FISA accreditation is explicitly stated as advantageous, indicating it would be a strong positive and should definitely be highlighted in your application.
• Q: What happens after I submit my application?
  A: Somerset College will review applications, and while submission doesn’t guarantee an interview, suitable candidates will be contacted. The school reserves the right not to make an appointment.