Rowing Ireland is delighted to announce the appointment of Caroline O’Brien as the new Northern Ireland Get Rowing Coordinator. This marks a significant milestone for the Get Rowing programme, which has been successfully running in Ireland for over a decade. With the support of Sport NI and the Northern Ireland Branch, Rowing Ireland is excited to extend this impactful programme to Northern Ireland, under Caroline’s experienced guidance.
Caroline O’Brien brings a wealth of rowing and coaching experience to this role. She was first introduced to rowing over 20 years ago while studying at Queen’s University Belfast. Since then, her passion for the sport has only grown. In recent years, Caroline has returned to Queen’s University Belfast Boat Club as a volunteer coach, working closely with performance coaches and student athletes to foster a new generation of rowers.
Her involvement with the Get Going…Get Rowing initiative over the past year has been transformative, particularly in Northern Ireland, where she has played a crucial role in introducing rowing to 10 schools across the region. Caroline’s dedication to the sport and to coaching is further demonstrated by her ongoing commitment to professional development; she has benefited from attending numerous Rowing Ireland coaching courses and Women in Sport initiatives and is currently completing her Rowing Ireland Level 2 Coaching course.
In addition to her coaching credentials, Caroline brings a strong background in youth development. As a qualified probation officer, she has extensive experience working with young people in both group and individual settings, helping them to make positive changes in their lives. This experience will be invaluable as she takes on the role of Northern Ireland Get Rowing Coordinator, where she will continue to inspire and motivate young people through the sport of rowing.
Caroline is also an active rower herself, staying fit and competitive as a member of the Belfast Rowing Club Masters Women’s Squad. She is set to travel to Brandenburg, Germany, to compete in the World Masters Championships alongside many other athletes from across Ireland.
Rowing Ireland looks forward to the positive impact Caroline will have in her new role and is confident that the Get Rowing programme will thrive under her leadership in Northern Ireland.
