Matt Rostron, Chief Executive Officer Expand Lured to London by the excitement of working in rowing as the capital prepared for the 2012 Olympics was too good an offer to turn down. The scope of what LYR does everyday has kept it just as exciting for me today. It is a hugely rewarding role that gives me the chance to work with an amazing bunch of coaches, partner schools, supporters and funders every day. I love it!
David Tinnion, Chief Operating Officer Expand London Youth Rowing is the third 'chapter' of my career – before joining LYR, I had stints working in project management and institutional asset management, carefully making sure that none of my career choices made any use of my degree in engineering! Having decided to try something new after a few years working in pensions, I completed the On Purpose Associate programme in 2015, with placements at Ealing Community Transport (I am now a Trustee) and Big Society Capital. I was motivated to join LYR as I have vivid, positive memories of playing sport at school. At the time it often seemed like hard work, but with the benefit of hindsight I can see how much I learned through sport about life, working in a team and digging deep when needed. I tried my hand at rowing at University and it was clear to me the sport could offer huge benefits to anyone taking part. When I read about LYR’s work to engage young people in rowing, help them to develop life skills and give them a chance to compete it really struck a chord. It’s a real privilege to work every day to give young people across London those same opportunities. Since I’ve been at LYR, I’ve turned my hand to all sorts of different areas including fundraising, day to day operations, data and impact measurement and working closely with the CEO and Board to support LYR’s governance and strategy. No two days are ever the same and so far it’s been great fun!
Hannah Shears, Programme Director Active Row Expand Inspired by the success of the British rowing team at the London 2012 Olympic Games, I joined a 'Learn to Row Course' at Barnes Bridge Ladies RC, after years of competing in athletics and never looked back. I decided to return to School Sport Programme Management after working in Sports Media and Communications for over 10 years. At the time of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, I worked as Media and Communications Manager for Dame Kelly Holmes. Post the Games, I enjoyed almost 3 years managing a School Sport Partnership in East Northamptonshire working closely with over 50 Schools, both Primary and Secondary to deliver year round School Games competitions, a leadership programme, Bikeability and Primary Change4Life Clubs. Now I am fortunate enough to manage our flagship programme 'Active Row' working with Secondary Schools across London, helping over 2,750 young people each year get active. The highlight is seeing the buzz and excitement around our competitions, from our Area Competitions to the National Junior Indoor Rowing Championships in March.
Andy Smith, Programme Director Life Skills Expand I’m not a rower by background, but I’ve always loved participating in sport, and I appreciate how valuable that experience has been for me – from playing Sunday League football since age 8, to my 5,000 mile SambaCycle adventure across Brazil in 2014! After 10 years as a CIMA management accountant with Tesco, Unilever and CBRE, I changed careers via the On Purpose Associate programme in 2015-16, with placements at Hackney Community Transport and GravityLight. I’ve now been working in the ‘sport for good’ sector since mid-2016 when I joined LYR and also became a Trustee for The Huracan Foundation. My motivation is to enable young people to reach their full potential through the power of sport. LYR’s Life Skills programmes are doing just that, which makes me proud to do my job every day. Please contact me if you’re interested in mentoring, volunteering, work experience or apprenticeships: [email protected].
Jenny Cooper, Programme Manager Life Skills Expand I joined LYR with the vision to build an Alternative Provision rowing programme and it is truly a delight to see it running successfully today. Working with teens most at risk of unemployment and offending brings real challenges; a positive energy is incredibly important. I also manage the delivery of our Breaking Barriers programme, training corporate mentors to run employability workshops and introducing young people to fantastic opportunities. It’s a brilliant programme and something I’d have loved to have taken part in when I was at School. I didn’t discover rowing until University and really enjoyed it. For me personally, I see sport as having a tremendous impact on young people’s confidence and individual progress. Through rowing, we’re supporting young people to become well-rounded, engaged members of the community. Teenagers inspire me to be positive and proactive about our future and being part of a team that thrive on seeing young people reach their potential is incredible.
Bobbie Morgan, Operations Manager Expand As someone who has benefited from the opportunities that LYR offer when I was younger, I now get to give back while doing something that I love and that’s an incredible feeling. Having progressed from the role of Community Coach, I am now based behind-the-scenes at LYR and have varied responsibilities. I am mainly responsible for how we operate day-to-day. It's my job to ensure that we are operating safely and are always looking to improve how we deliver. I am based at the Royal Docks Adventure but also oversee how we work across other sites. As well as the general operations, I work on two local delivery programmes based at the RDA as well as being Child Welfare Officer for LYR. I love the variety that my role includes: from working with coaches to working with partners and young people, from helping others achieve their goals to continuing my own personal development, from the daily sessions to huge annual events we deliver. It’s great to be in a work atmosphere that is innovative and inspiring. I feel fortunate to be in a position that offers young people in London access to some amazing opportunities. It's a pleasure to be able to work outdoors and enable others to enjoy the open air, particularly when the weather is nice. Rowing is such a therapeutic activity and can teach young people a lot about themselves.
Phinnah Ikeji, Financial Controller Expand I love my job because not only do I believe and relate to what London Youth Rowing stands for, I know that young people benefit from our programmes and the skills they learn, can take them a whole lot further in life. I manage the finances across London Youth Rowing, in addition to supporting the delivery of Breaking Barriers.
Maurice Coughlan, Head Coach, LYR Globe Juniors Expand I have worked with LYR since 2004 and have met many great people in both Paralympic and junior rowing. I have the privilege of working with a great squad at Globe Juniors and I get a great deal of satisfaction from helping young people to step out of their comfort zone, become athletes and watch them flourish and achieve their true potential. This isn’t just about winning Championship or World medals but also about seeing an athlete achieve a performance beyond what they thought they could and to see them feel the satisfaction of giving their absolute best.
Tom Rook, Head Coach, LYR Thames Tradesmen Juniors Expand I began my rowing journey in 2012 with Bangor University Boat Club. During my three years there I learned a lot about the sport and how much I enjoyed developing a club and it's members as I became Vice-Captain and then Club Captain. I joined London Youth Rowing after University in 2015 as a Session Coach and progressed to become a Community Coach working with Schools in West London. I am now the Head Coach for LYR Thames Tradesmen Juniors & The 1863 Club. Being given the opportunity to work with young people through the sport I love is very rewarding. I enjoy working with young people on a daily basis and watching them develop as individuals and as a squad.
Oliver James, Head Junior Coach, Mossbourne Federation Expand I moved full-time into coaching after the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, where I coxed the GB Rowing Team's LTA Mixed Coxed four to Paralympic Gold after three successive World Championship titles. I started coxing in 2009 at the University of Warwick while studying for a BA in Philosophy. I signed up for the boat club at the start of my first year and never looked back. At Mossbourne Federation, based in Hackney I love being able to provide a challenging, ambitious rowing programme in a School for students who would never have normally thought about becoming part of a rowing team.
Daniel Brighton, Assistant Junior Coach, Mossbourne Federation Expand I love being able to coach young people from a disadvantaged rowing background and give them the same opportunities to enjoy rowing that I did from an early age.
Isobel Turner, Community Coach, South East London Expand Being involved with LYR as a junior, I found my love of rowing and sport in general. The LYR coaches helped inspire me to be more involved in sport and I went on to complete a Sports Science Degree. Returning to LYR as a Community Coach, it is incredible to see what an influence LYR can have through Active Row, Breaking Barriers and our competitive clubs. The high level engagement and enthusiasm of the participants Active Row competitions and NJIRC will always be a huge highlight of the year.
CJ White, Community Coach, East London Expand When I was in younger I was uninterested in School and very inactive. One day in a PE lesson I sat on a rowing machine and beat the School record. I encouraged told to take up rowing and shortly afterwards I signed up to a Learn to Row Course with London Youth Rowing. The coaches were great and I was introduced to the most amazing sport, I also found out I was good at it. From that point on I spent more time focussed in School because I wanted to row at University and I was spending a lot more time being active. After a successful time competing in rowing, I was side-lined by an injury. Although this was very hard to deal with I began coaching and giving back to my sport. LYR offered me a job as a Community Coach and I never looked back. Getting involved in rowing and London Youth Rowing really changed my life. Now I am in the position to offer so many young people the same opportunity I had and help changed their lives for the better.
Lawrence Farquharson, Community & Outreach Coach Expand Twelve years ago, my previous career in retail was leaving me unfulfilled, so after a sad family event I decided to do something about it and handed in my notice. I always wanted to work with young people and give something back. So I decided to do a youth work course and some voluntary work at various youth organisations to add alongside my varied life experiences. I also attended multiple sports coaching workshops, and coached at different youth clubs in and around London to gain experience, this led me to LYR, where 6 and a half years later I can honestly say that It was worth the change. Rowing is a great platform to engage with young people through coaching and mentoring. When I see young people achieve their true potential, it brings a smile to my face every time!
Tinashe Mandimika, Community Coach, West London Expand After working as a Session Coach, I joined London Youth Rowing full-time in September 2017 to work with Active Row Schools in Hounslow and Ealing. I also support the delivery of sessions for Thames Tradesmen Juniors and the 1863 Squad at Chiswick Boathouse. I love being a Community Coach for LYR because I can be myself whilst working with individuals to better themselves through physical activity. I also get a chance to learn about the sport and the people that make it, which makes me happy in my job.
Robert Hylton-Bartley, SEND Community Coach Expand I joined London Youth Rowing in January 2018, after working as a PE Technician at Chestnut Grove Academy and Teaching Assistant at an SEN School. I am passionate about working with young people, in my role I am fortunate enough to work with young people with various disabilities and social, emotional and behavioural needs. Being able to encourage children and young adults to get involved with rowing and sport gives me and the participants the enjoyment of being a part of something.
Tufi Sele, Community Coach, West London Expand I picked up rowing in high school as a teenager. What attracted me to rowing was the encouragement I received from the rowing community. I found myself surrounded by people who showed me what it is to strive for my goals. I have now been involved in rowing for 15 years and have enjoyed my whole time. Rowing has taught me to break internal barriers and motivated me to achieve. Through this, it has given me an active and healthy lifestyle. I have now found myself on the coaching and mentoring side of rowing. I really enjoy being able to encourage young people to discover their own capabilities and find a sense of achievement through the sport. LYR have a vision for young people that resonates with what I have found within rowing. I am very happy to have the opportunity to work with LYR to deliver this vision. It is great to be able to offer the young people of London the support and encouragement I received when I discovered the sport. I hope to help them better themselves and become active, healthy and happy young adults.
Tida Sullivan, Apprentice Coach Expand After completing my A Levels, I decided to apply for the Coach Core Apprenticeship with London Youth Rowing. I actually learned to row with LYR as a member of the 'Brixton Wings' community group when it started in 2010. Rowing has taught me discipline and perseverance which can encourage young individuals to strive to become the best versions of themselves. My new role has given me the opportunity to carry on the tradition of quality training that I have benefitted from. It has enabled me to grow as a leader and pass on my confidence and passion to the next generation. I have been able to watch young rowers improve through my guidance which has given me an amazing sense of achievement. I can’t wait to see myself and those I coach grow as individuals and as a collective!