Maurice Coughlan, Head Junior Coach, LYR Globe Rowing Club Expand Why do I love my job? 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 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 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 have them feel the satisfaction of giving their best.
Bobbie Morgan, Operations Officer, Royal Docks Adventure Expand Why do I love my job? I love helping people develop and flourish through rowing, whether as an athlete or coach. It’s very rewarding to watch people grow.
Jenny Cooper, Programme Manager, Breaking Barriers Expand Why do I love my job? I see the effect sport has on young people’s confidence and individual progress- be it providing the only physical activity they get, or supporting their progress to become well-rounded, engaged members of the community. Teenagers and motivated colleagues inspire me to be positive and proactive about our future.
Isobel Turner, Community Coach, East London Expand Why do I love my job? I love my job because I am able to give young people the opportunity to try a new sport that they might have never been able to do. LYR gave me this opportunity when I was younger which inspired me to study a sports science degree and return to give the same opportunities to the younger generation.
Ollie James, Head Junior Coach, Mossbourne Community Academy Expand Why do I love my job? I love being able to provide a challenging, ambitious rowing programme in a school for children who would never have normally thought about becoming part of a rowing team.
Daniel Brighton, Assistant Junior Coach, Mossbourne Community Academy Expand Why do I love my job? I love being able to coach kids from a disadvantaged rowing background and give young people the same opportunity to enjoy rowing in the same way that I did from an early age.
CJ White, Community Coach, East London Expand Why do I love my job? I love my job because I was an LYR junior myself and it gave me a great opportunity. I now want to pass on all of my skill and knowledge and help young people get the same opportunity I had.
Tom Rook, Head Junior Coach, Thames Tradesmen Rowing Club Expand Why do I love my job? I love my job because I get to work with so many young people and introduce them to the sport I love.
Steve Visser, Community Coach, East London Expand Why do I love my job? I love my job as I help young people who may have otherwise not had the opportunity to access rowing enjoy the sport and potentially develop their skill set to compete at a high level.
Lawrence Farquharson, Outreach Coach Expand Why do I love my job? I love my job, because it gives me the opportunity to give something back to the younger generation.
Hannah Shears, Programme Director, Satellite Hubs and Clubs Expand Why do I love my job? Inspired by the success of the British rowing team in the London 2012 Olympic Games, I joined a Learn to Row Course and never looked back. I decided to return to Schools Programme Management after working in Sports Media and Communications, before leading LYR’s School engagement programme. Now I am fortunate to lead on our Schools engagement programme in my new sport, seeing the impact of London Youth Rowing on young people every day.
Andy Smith, Programme Director, Breaking Barriers Expand Why do I love my job? I joined LYR in August 2016 because I want to help young people reach their full potential through the power of sport. The Apprenticeships and Breaking Barriers programmes are doing just that, which makes me proud to do my job every day.
Matt Rostron, Chief Executive Officer Expand Why do I love my job? I love my job because where else could I work with such an amazing bunch who do amazing things every day for amazing young people in one of the most amazing cities in the world?!
David Tinnion, Chief Operating Officer Expand Why I do I love my job? I love my job because my work helps LYR keep running and everyday LYR gives young people opportunities to have new experiences and make the best of themselves through sport.
Ruth Whyman, Communications Manager Expand Why do I love my job? I love knowing that one day, the young people we work with will look back and be able to say they experienced something unique and fun because of LYR. We’re having a more powerful impact on people’s lives than we could ever know, and that’s really exciting.
Phinnah Ikeji, Financial Controller Expand Why do I love my job? I love my job because not only do I believe and relate to what LYR stands for, I love the fact that young people benefit it from it and the skills they learn, can take them a whole lot further in life. Can you tell that I have a big passion for teens? Lol!! I enjoy numbers as well, that's why I get to help look after the finances.
Mahbubul Alam, Community Coach Expand Why do I love my job? I have always enjoyed taking part in sport from an early age, particularly at Secondary School level. I was fortunate to be introduced to rowing at Stepney Green School, a Partner School for our Active Row Programme that has worked closely with London Youth Rowing for many years. I love my job as a Community Coach because, due to my high level of involvement in various sports including rowing, cricket and athletics, I feel very passionate about passing on such a positive experience to a new generation.
Tinashe Mandimika, Community Coach Expand Why do I love my job? I love being a Community Coach for LYR because I can be myself whilst working with individuals to better themselves through physical activities. I also get a chance to learn about the sport and the people that make it which leaves me happy with the work that I do.
Holly Hodges, Apprentice Expand Why do I love my job? Inspired by the 2012 Olympics and watching GB win gold, I joined the nearest rowing club and haven't looked back. I joined LYR this year on their apprenticeship programme; I'm looking forward to working with everyone and seeing the difference they make to the younger generation and I can't wait to be a part of that.
Robert Hylton-Bartley, SEND Community Coach Expand Why do I love my job? I love my job because working in SEND gives you an opportunity to work with some young people who aren’t as confident and it gives me motivation to help people who may be less able to participate in physical activity.