HEAD ROWING COACH Job

Somerset College, a prominent independent day and boarding school in the beautiful Cape Winelands, is seeking a dynamic Head Rowing Coach to lead and develop its successful rowing programme. This exciting opportunity, commencing on Wednesday, 1 April 2026, calls for a passionate and experienced individual capable of inspiring excellence and ensuring the holistic development of student-athletes, with applications closing on 26 November 2025.

Detailed vacancy information

This pivotal role at Somerset College involves comprehensive leadership, coaching, and administration for the rowing programme, focusing on both athletic achievement and student well-being.

• School name: Somerset College
• School type: Leading independent, co-educational day and boarding school
• Educational offerings: Grade 000 to Matric-IEB and Cambridge AS and A-levels
• Founded: 1997
• Location: Cape Winelands, South Africa
• Position: Head Rowing Coach
• Commencement date: Wednesday, 1 April 2026
• Application closing date: 26 November 2025
• Core responsibilities: The successful candidate will provide high-level coaching, mentorship, and development for athletes and assistant coaches, shaping the overall direction, culture, and performance standards of the Somerset College Rowing Club. This includes delivering structured pre-season and in-season training programmes that support holistic student growth.
• Coaching schedule: Coaching is required on four weekdays and Saturdays during the rowing season, with a strong emphasis on maintaining excellence in technical, physiological, and safety standards.
• Programme administration: Key tasks involve the planning, development, and administration of all phases of the Somerset College Rowing programme, encompassing budget preparation and management, practice scheduling, travel arrangements and cost management, procurement of supplies and equipment, and the recruitment and selection of student-athletes, managers, and coaches in conjunction with the Master in Charge (MIC).
• Academic emphasis: The role demands a commitment to a philosophy that prioritises academic success for student-athletes, requiring the ability to guide, teach, and communicate effectively, and to understand the dual demands placed on students in both the classroom and the competitive arena.
• Parental communication: The Head Coach will be responsible for communicating the rowing strategy and progress to the parent community.
• Programme and performance management: Duties include overseeing transparent athlete and crew selection processes, maintaining detailed performance records, planning and managing training camps and regattas (ensuring efficient logistics and fair selections), and supervising equipment management (boat rigging, loading, and maintenance). Collaboration with the MIC on coach recruitment, evaluation, and remuneration is also expected.
• Administration and stakeholder engagement: This involves managing daily club operations, coordinating race calendars with Western Cape Rowing (WCR) and RowSA, representing Somerset College at WCR and RowSA meetings, providing strategic input on the programme’s long-term direction, and maintaining positive relationships with neighbouring schools and rowing clubs. Interaction with support services and involvement in public relations, fundraising, and promotional activities are also part of the role.
• Required qualifications and experience: Proven experience as a rowing coach, preferably at a competitive school or club level, strong leadership, organisational, and interpersonal skills, in-depth knowledge of rowing techniques, training methodologies, and safety standards, and familiarity with RowSA regulations and competitive rowing structures.
• Advantageous qualifications: A coaching qualification and/or a teaching background will be advantageous, as will FISA accreditation.
• Prerequisites: The successful candidate must possess and maintain current certifications in First Aid, CPR, and AED use (with proof provided within 30 days after employment), have the relevant RowSA coaching accreditations and levels, and provide a valid Police Clearance Certificate not older than one month.

You can find the original vacancy listing here: Head Rowing Coach at Somerset College.

A simple summary of the vacancy

Somerset College, a distinguished independent school established in 1997 and located in the scenic Cape Winelands, is looking for an exceptional Head Rowing Coach. This role is crucial for leading, shaping, and enhancing the college’s well-regarded rowing programme, covering everything from Grade 000 to Matric. The successful candidate will be a visionary leader responsible for delivering high-level coaching, mentoring athletes and assistant coaches, and establishing a culture of excellence both on and off the water.

This comprehensive position involves designing and implementing structured pre-season and in-season training programmes, coaching four weekdays and Saturdays during the rowing season, and ensuring the highest standards of technical skill, physiological development, and safety. A core aspect of the role is the meticulous planning, development, and administration of all facets of the rowing programme, including budget management, scheduling, travel arrangements, equipment procurement, and the recruitment of student-athletes, managers, and coaches in collaboration with the Master in Charge. The college places a strong emphasis on academic success, requiring the coach to understand and support the student-athletes’ dual demands in academics and competition, and to effectively communicate the rowing strategy and progress to the parent community.

The role also encompasses robust programme and performance management, including transparent athlete and crew selection processes, detailed record-keeping, and efficient logistical planning for training camps and regattas. Administrative duties extend to daily club operations, coordinating with external bodies like Western Cape Rowing (WCR) and RowSA, and representing Somerset College at various meetings. The ideal candidate will provide strategic input into the long-term vision of the rowing programme, foster positive relationships with other schools and clubs, and engage in public relations and fundraising activities. Essential qualifications include proven competitive coaching experience, strong leadership and organisational skills, comprehensive knowledge of rowing techniques and safety, and familiarity with RowSA regulations. A coaching or teaching background and FISA accreditation are beneficial. Prerequisites include valid First Aid, CPR, and AED certifications, relevant RowSA coaching accreditations, and a recent Police Clearance Certificate. The chosen candidate will begin on 1 April 2026, and prospective applicants should submit their materials by 26 November 2025.

How to apply for this post

• Prepare a detailed letter of application outlining your suitability for the role.
• Compile your updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Provide details for three contactable professional references.
• Email all required documents in confidence to the Human Resources Officer at [email protected].
• Please note that Somerset College is an equal opportunity employer and reserves the right not to make an appointment. Submission of an application does not guarantee an interview.

Institution details

• Website: http://www.somersetcollege.org
• Address: Bredell Road, Somerset West, Western Cape, South Africa

Questions and answers for potential candidates

• Q: What qualities are most important for this Head Rowing Coach position?
  A: Somerset College is looking for a passionate, experienced, and dynamic individual with strong leadership, organisational, and interpersonal skills who can inspire excellence and support the holistic development of student-athletes, prioritising both their academic and sporting success.
• Q: Is a teaching qualification required for this role?
  A: While a coaching qualification and/or a teaching background would be advantageous, it is not strictly a requirement. Proven experience as a rowing coach at a competitive school or club level is essential.
• Q: What are the key responsibilities regarding athlete development?
  A: You will be responsible for providing high-level coaching and mentorship, delivering structured pre-season and in-season training programmes, shaping the club’s culture, and ensuring transparent athlete and crew selection processes.
• Q: How involved will the Head Coach be in the administrative aspects of the programme?
  A: You will be deeply involved in planning, developing, and administering all phases of the rowing programme, including budget management, scheduling, travel, equipment procurement, and the recruitment of student-athletes and assistant staff in conjunction with the Master in Charge.
• Q: What specific certifications are prerequisites for this role?
  A: You must possess and maintain current certifications in First Aid, CPR, and AED use (with proof provided within 30 days of employment). Relevant RowSA coaching accreditations and levels are also required, along with a valid Police Clearance Certificate not older than one month.
• Q: How does Somerset College balance academics and sport for student-athletes?
  A: The college is committed to a philosophy that emphasizes academic priorities. The successful candidate must understand the demands on student-athletes in both the classroom and the competitive arena and be willing to help them succeed in both.
• Q: What is the expected commitment during the rowing season?
  A: The role requires coaching on four weekdays and Saturdays during the rowing season, maintaining excellence in technical, physiological, and safety standards.
• Q: What is the role in external relations and stakeholder engagement?
  A: You will manage daily club operations, coordinate race calendars with Western Cape Rowing (WCR) and RowSA, represent Somerset College at their meetings, foster positive relationships with neighbouring schools and clubs, and be involved in public relations and fundraising.
• Q: When is the application deadline and commencement date for this position?
  A: Applications close on 26 November 2025, and the successful candidate is expected to commence on Wednesday, 1 April 2026.
• Q: What should I include in my application?
  A: Please email a letter of application, your CV, and contact details for three references to the Human Resources Officer.
• Q: Is there any flexibility on the police clearance certificate’s age?
  A: No, a valid Police Clearance Certificate not older than one month is a prerequisite for this role. Ensure yours is current upon application or can be obtained swiftly.
• Q: How can I demonstrate my leadership skills effectively in my application?
  A: Highlight specific examples from your previous coaching roles where you led a team, developed a programme, mentored coaches, or successfully managed complex situations, showcasing your ability to inspire and guide.

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