Head Junior Coach – Bedford Rowing Club

British Rowing; Bedford; Hybrid; GBP 14,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

Bedford Rowing Club is seeking a Head Junior Coach to lead and develop our junior rowing programme, focusing on safe, enjoyable, and ambitious training for young rowers.

The role involves planning and delivering land and water coaching, developing athletes from Learn to Row to competition, and coordinating volunteers, with 20 hours per week (14 coaching, 6 administration). Applicants should have BR Level 2 or above and safeguarding experience.

Qualifications

• Experience coaching rowing, or significant rowing experience with a commitment to coach development.
• Ability to communicate effectively with young people, parents and volunteers.
• Strong organisational and planning skills.
• Commitment to safeguarding and athlete welfare.
• British Rowing Level 2 qualification or above.
• Experience coaching junior athletes.
• First aid and/or powerboat qualifications.
• Experience working within a volunteer sports club.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver high quality land and water based coaching.
• Develop athletes from Learn to Row through to competitive racing.
• Select crews and prepare athletes for competition.
• Create a positive, inclusive and challenging training environment.
• Lead the junior training programme and seasonal calendar.
• Coordinate volunteer coaches and session delivery.
• Organise race entries, competition attendance and training camps.
• Maintain training records, attendance information and programme administration.

Skills

Junior coaching

Athlete development

Session planning

Volunteer coordination

Safety & safeguarding

Team leadership

Education

Level 2 BR

First aid

Powerboat

Job description

Bedford Rowing Club is seeking an enthusiastic and capable Head Junior Coach to lead and develop our junior rowing programme. This is an opportunity to shape and grow a thriving programme. Bedford is a rowing town with a long tradition in the sport. Their junior athletes compete successfully at regional and national level and are supported by a dedicated team of volunteers, parents and club members. They are committed to helping more young people discover, enjoy and excel in rowing, and are looking for someone who can lead that ambition.

The Head Junior Coach will take responsibility for the delivery and development of junior rowing at Bedford Rowing Club. The role combines coaching, athlete development, programme leadership and administration, working closely with volunteers and parents to provide a safe, enjoyable and ambitious environment for young rowers.

Coaching and Athlete Development

• Plan and deliver high quality land and water based coaching.
• Develop athletes from Learn to Row through to competitive racing.
• Select crews and prepare athletes for competition.
• Create a positive, inclusive and challenging training environment.
• Lead the junior training programme and seasonal calendar.
• Coordinate volunteer coaches and session delivery.
• Organise race entries, competition attendance and training camps.
• Maintain training records, attendance information and programme administration.

Recruitment and Retention

• Deliver junior Learn to Row programmes.
• Promote junior rowing within the local community.
• Support athlete development and long term participation.
• Help juniors transition successfully into senior rowing.

Safety, Safeguarding and Welfare

• Deliver all activities in accordance with RowSafe and club policies.
• Support athlete welfare and safeguarding requirements.
• Complete appropriate risk assessments and incident reporting.
• Work closely with the Club Welfare Officer and Safety Adviser.
• Experience coaching rowing, or significant rowing experience with a commitment to coach development.
• Ability to communicate effectively with young people, parents and volunteers.
• Strong organisational and planning skills.
• Commitment to safeguarding and athlete welfare.
• British Rowing Level 2 qualification or above.
• Experience coaching junior athletes.
• First aid and/or powerboat qualifications.
• Experience working within a volunteer sports club.

Why Bedford?

Bedford Rowing Club combines competitive ambition with a welcoming and supportive culture. They benefit from a large volunteer coaching team, strong links within the local rowing community and a steady flow of young people coming into the sport. This is an opportunity to lead an established junior programme while helping shape its future development. For further information on our club please visit https://bedfordrowing.co.uk/.

Type: 20 hours per week (Typically 14 hours coaching, 6 hours administration)

Application Dates: From Monday 24th August 2026 to Tuesday 8th September 2026