‘Olympic Success’: Rowing Australia secures Jürgen Grobler as consultant coach

Rowing Australia has appointed Jürgen Grobler OBE, the most successful Olympic rowing coach of all time, as a consultant coach to the Australian Rowing Team.

His appointment represents a major boost for Australian rowing as the team builds momentum toward future international campaigns.

Rowing Australia Performance Director Paul Thompson MBE said it was a pivotal moment for Australian rowing.

“Jürgen Grobler is a coach whose name is synonymous with Olympic success," Thompson said. 

“His appointment reflects our commitment to innovation and global best practice as we prepare for the next generation of success. We have established a great and talented coaching team with Jürgen, Head Coaches Chris O'Brien, James Harris and James Loveday and their coaches."

Across a career spanning more than 50 years, Grobler has coached athletes to Olympic Gold medals in 10 separate Games, from 1976 to 2016.

He led East German women to Olympic success, before transforming British Rowing men into a global powerhouse, becoming the most-decorated coach in British Olympic history. He also led the French rowing team in Paris 2024.

He developed some of the sport’s most iconic champions, including Sir Steve Redgrave and Sir Matthew Pinsent, and guided Great Britain to five consecutive Olympic Gold medals in the Men’s Four.

Grobler is currently working closely with national team coaches and athletes at the Australian Institute of Sport's European Training Centre in Italy, offering strategic and technical input across key boats and campaigns.

His involvement will strengthen Australia’s high-performance system and sharpen its preparations ahead of the 2025 World Rowing Championships in China later in September.