A coach’s work is never done
Waikato Independent catches the coaches and gets their opinion on the racing.
The Waikato Independent hit the boat sheds to get the coaches’ view on the racing.
Craig Smith – Westlake Girls
“It’s pretty good, we got all our U18s in the A finals. I started rowing 30 years ago when I was at school, I rowed in the Maadi and we won all our age group titles all the way up to 1985. Time is the biggest sacrifice for the kids and a little bit of school work falls by the wayside too.”
Robert Ansell – Wentworth College
“There’s been highs and lows, the performance of today has been better than past. I enjoy Maadi, it’s good. The kids make heaps of sacrifices – and the family, which sometimes the kids don’t realise.”
John Lawrence – Macleans College
“I think we’re enjoying ourselves very much, we’ve got a lot of young crews that are learning what rowing and racing is all about and some of them have even exceeded their own expectations. Our U15 boys who I would have said eight weeks ago wouldn’t even have a chance of getting here and they’ve managed to make a C final and I think they could have a really good showing there. Us coaches sacrifice a lot of time, I take six outings a week.”
Brian Smith – Timaru Boys College
“It’s going great, about what’s expected. I’m thoroughly enjoying it now the weather’s come right. Crews getting through to the A finals is my highest, we’ve got three so far. The kids’ biggest sacrifice is commitment – they all miss their moms. And time.”
