Westlake rowing coach wants to give back to the school
Westlake coach Jordan Stanley is looking forward to coaching rather than rowing at this years Maadi cup.
Half a second.
Half a second was all that stood between Jordan Stanley and winning the Maadi Cup in 2009.
Eight years on he is determined to give back to the school which provided him so many fond memories, and to try again at a piece of Maadi Cup glory.
The difference this time is Stanley is the coach.
A former Westlake student, Stanley has coached the senior Westlake Maadi squad for the past two years alongside his father Mike.
this time as a coach. Photo: Supplied
“Being a part of and helping to further that legacy is very special for me,” said Stanley.
“I have the privilege of coaching with my dad, a Westlake rowing legend. I couldn’t ask for better professional development than the skills he teaches me on a daily basis.”
Stanley represented New Zealand at age group level with the NZ Under 18s and NZ Universities team, before switching to coaching.
With the secondary schools Aon Maadi Cup regatta at Lake Karapiro fast approaching, Stanley is looking forward to returning to a scene which has given him some of his fondest memories, including the 2009 eights final.
“The Saturday finals day never ceases to amaze, with the banks lined with thousands of spectators as the U18 eights make their way down the course.
“The finals of the Girls U18 eight and the Maadi Cup are truly spectacular events and the atmosphere created by the crowd is mind-blowing.”
While he hopes his squad can win the Maadi Cup, Stanley just wants them to enjoy themselves.
“Regardless of the result, my guys are able to put out their very best performance and that they enjoy themselves in the process, as that is all that can be asked of them. I’m incredibly proud of them as a group for the way they have trained and raced so far this season and I will be proud of them whatever the result.”
