Rowing Australia appoints world-class coaches to lead National Training Centres

Rowing Australia (RA) has announced the appointments of James Harris and Chris O'Brien as Head Coaches of its National Training Centres as the duo prepare to lead the Rowsellas into a new era of training and racing during the LA 2028 Olympic and Paralympic cycle.

O'Brien will take charge of the men’s squad at the Reinhold Batschi National Training Centre in Canberra, while Harris will lead the women’s program at the Hancock Prospecting National Training Centre in Penrith.

Harris brings a wealth of international experience, having served as the Olympic High Performance Coach for the British women's team. His impressive resume includes coaching their Women's Four to an unbeaten 2022 season and Olympic Silver in Paris. He also guided the British Women's Eight to a Silver medal in 2016, a historic first for Team GB.

“I’ve spent over a decade working in one of the world’s leading rowing programs and I'm looking forward to the huge opportunity of a head coaching role in a proud rowing nation like Australia,” Harris said.

 “The women’s centre has the athlete's and staff with the talent, ambition and drive that makes it a real privilege to be tasked with supporting them to explore their limits and find their best as we refocus towards the next Olympics.”

Chris O'Brien returns to RA after a successful stint as an Australian Rowing Team crew coach from 1996-2016, during which his crews secured two Olympic Gold and two Silver medals, alongside five World Championship titles. O'Brien has recently been Performance Director and interim-CEO of Gymnastics Australia.

“I’ve learned an incredible amount working in High Performance across multiple sports and roles but rowing has been my lifelong passion,” O’Brien said.

“It feels like coming home and I’m ready to play my part in shaping this hugely important period as we look towards LA and then beyond to a home Games in Brisbane.”

Paul Thompson MBE, Rowing Australia’s Performance Director, said he believed the pair would be the right fit for the Rowsellas and looked forward to working closely with both when they settle into their roles from October.

“James and Chris are exceptional additions to our coaching staff. Their proven track records, athlete centred approach, passion for the sport, and their collaborative styles align perfectly with our values and vision for the future under the Win Well strategy,” Thompson said. 

RA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Cook OLY said the recruitment of James and Chris was a coup for RA and a vote of confidence in the athletes, infrastructure, goals and strategy across multiple pillars of the sport moving forward.

“We are elated to welcome James and Chris to lead our national programs. Their combined experience and success at the highest level of rowing will only serve to elevate our athletes and coaches. We are confident that they will inspire and guide our teams to achieve on the world stage.

“We are grateful to the Australian Government, the Australian Sports Commission, and the Australian Institute of Sport for their ongoing support, belief in our athletes and organisation, and their strong investment as we look towards a home Olympics and Paralympics in less than eight years.”

RA would like to thank outgoing Women’s Head Coach John Keogh and Men’s Head Coach Rhett Ayliffe for their dedication, service and commitment to the NTC programs and athletes and wish them well in their future endeavours.