Rowing - Coaches

The coaches are responsible for the health, safety, performance and well-being of the Marsden rowers whilst participating in any activities associated with Marsden Rowing. This includes water and land training, regattas, camps, working bees etc.

We are pleased to announce our coaching team for the 2022/23 season.

The coaching focus will be on providing the girls with the opportunity to achieve their personal best and test their personal limits within a fun and inclusive environment. They will be encouraged to work hard and perform to their best. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t rowed or are not particularly fit, all that is needed is a good attitude and a desire to get involved in one of the great team sports.

Head Coach – Jamie Fitzgerald

Jamie has had an extensive rowing career in New Zealand and internationally. After winning national gold medals at every school age group (including the Maadi Cup 8s), Jamie went onto row for New Zealand at Junior, U23 and Elite levels. Taking his rowing further, Jamie has captained crews against both Cambridge and Oxford Universities, and holds the world record for rowing the Atlantic Ocean (with fellow adventurer Kevin Biggar).

Since then, Jamie has coached rowing crews around New Zealand, is qualified in instructional design, communication and management, and completed plenty of other adventures around the world.

He is currently CEO of Inspiring Performance. When not fulfilling his duties as Head Coach, Jamie will continue a small amount of consulting work.

“Since joining the Marsden community as a parent, it has been so inspiring to see students across the school achieve incredible things and living Marsden’s values. I’m really looking forward to being a part of the rowing programme that does the same thing. Rowing offers so many life-long benefits to both athletes and their families. I’m excited to see all of our rowers achieve their personal best, and for us to have loads of fun along the way!”