Our People

Chris Foot

Head Coach

Tel. 021 275 8500

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Chris Foot started rowing at University in 1981 and represented South Africa Universities in 1983 and 1984. He then rowed for the Springboks in 1986. After leaving South Africa to go crocodile farming in his home country Zimbabwe, he rowed part-time for Zimbabwe from 1987-1989, then retired due to family commitments. Chris started coaching in 2000 at one of Zimbabwe’s private schools. He has headed the St. Paul’s Rowing Club since 2005

Alex Mason

Coach

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Alex Mason (2005-2009/10).Alex rowed in the school’s top eight for 2 seasons and stroked the bronze medalling Springbok Four. He was selected to represent NZ in the 2010 Junior World Rowing Championships, in the Coxed Fours. Last season Alex coached the Boys U18 Novice 2x, who won Gold at the North Island Secondary Schools, and won Silver at the Maadi Cup.

Les Varney

Coach

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Les Varney needs no introduction to students of the school where he is a long-serving teacher who has had many of the boys in his Tech (woodwork) class. He has a long rowing history and was first involved with the St Paul’s Rowing Club in 1989 and in addition to his coaching expertise he is our very own ‘Mr Fixit’. Some of our boats were even built by Les.

Kirsty Dunhill

Coach

Kristy has been coaching rowing for the past 15 Years, she has been the Head coach at both Auckland Grammar and more recently Sacred Hart College. She has coached numerous medal winning crews. We welcome Kristy’s experience and expertise to the Coaching team.

Robert Clarke

Coach

Rob joins us from the UK for the season, as a gap tutor/ rowing coach. Rob was the Cambridge Downing College Boat Club- Men’s Squad Captain(2010-11) Rob has raced in the Head of the Charles in Boston, also in Fours Head of the River in London. He is a keen rower and wishes to train and hopefully race himself this season.

Abby Johnston

Coach

Also joins the coaching team for the season as a gap tutor/rowing coach. Abby has rowed for a number of years, she has also represented Great Britain in 2005 vs France, and made the GB Junior Rowing team in both 2006 and 2007. More recently Abby has been rowing for Newcastle University.

Brett Smith

Strength and Conditioning Coach

We are very fortunate to have the assistance and expertise of Brett, Brett is helping with our Strength and Conditioning programme, he has been involved with New Zealand Rowing for 16 Years. Developing training programmes, working with elite athletes such as the Ever-Swindells and Mahe Drysdale. Brett is our “Rowing Encyclopaedia” and we look forward to his help this season.

Dave Hargreaves

President

Tel. Mobile: 021 679 359 or Bus: 09 6211204

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Ilesha Cooper

Club Secretary

Tel. Mobile: 021 241 1665

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