Last weekend saw the end to a very successful season for our Irish Junior Rowing Team. The Junior team achieved three A finalists and a bronze medal at the Junior World Championship, as well as two gold and a silver medal at the Coupe de la Jeunesse.
Supporting these athletes was a team of diligent coaches who have worked with the athletes since selection, to bring together a cohesive, well-drilled, fast crew.
Here we introduce the coaching team behind the athletes:
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Ciro Pirsco, Head Coach for Junior World Championships
Club: NUIG
No. of years coaching: 16 years
What do you enjoy about coaching:
“I like when the athlete performs at their best. It is important to me that I help the athlete give the best that they can.”
Best coaching advice you received:
“It is not about the medal, it is about how the athletes race.”
Janet Walsh, Coach of the JM4x for Junior World Championships
Club: New Ross Rowing Club
No. of years coaching: 4 years
What do you enjoy about coaching:
“The main reason why I coach is to give young people a motive and purpose to do something and for that purpose to be rowing, the sport that I love is great.
“To watch them make improvements no matter how small and reach their goals keeps me going each year.”
Best coaching advice you received:
“Those that are willing to learn never stop learning. Especially as a female coach I think it is really important to remember there are so many coaches out there that are still learning and don’t know everything.
“Don’t be afraid of not knowing enough, just be willing to keep learning. There are so many top coaches out there that are so willing to share their knowledge so don’t be afraid to ask.”
Vivian Kelleher, Coach of the JW4x for Coupe de la Jeunesse
Club: Lee Rowing Club
No. of years coaching: “Nearly 5 years now.”
What do you enjoy about coaching:
“Love seeing athletes develop especially when they take on feedback and engage with the training.”
Best coaching advice you received:
“Probably two. First one was ‘there’s no secret. It’s just hard work’ and the other was ‘if you expect athletes to show up you must too.’”
Ray Morrison, Team Manager and Coach of the JW2- for Coupe de la Jeunesse
Club: Fermoy Rowing Club
No. of years coaching: 30+ years
What do you enjoy about coaching:
“I enjoy working with athletes and watching them develop. Its not all about winning, it is about improving and enjoying it.“
Best coaching advice you received:
“Keep it simple and not to over complicate things, keep working on the basics.”
Nicolo Maurogiovanni, Coach of the JM2x for Junior World Championships:
Club: Swan River Rowing Club, Australia
No. of years coaching: 6 years
What do you enjoy about coaching:
“As cliche as it sounds, getting the boat to move well is like putting together a complex puzzle. There’s so much to consider, from the physiological and psychological aspect to the athletes technique and boat setup. This keeps things exciting and very challenging.”
Best coaching advice you received:
“Always put yourself in the athlete’s shoes to determine how best to approach a given situation.”
Leah O’Regan, Coach of the JW2x for Junior World Championships:
Club: Shandon Boat Club
No. of years coaching: “6 months, 3 years of coxing before.”
What do you enjoy about coaching:
“Seeing how happy the athletes are after a good race, and how all their hard work pays off.”
Best coaching advice you received:
“Always search for new ways to learn.”
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Rowing Ireland would like to thank the Junior Team Coaches and the athlete’s club coaches for their support and congratulate them all on the success of the team at the junior international events of the 2021 season.
