Submitted by Ashley Edwards on Mon, 29/10/2018 - 12:34
Robert Weber announced as Chief Coach of Women’s and Lightweight Rowing at Cambridge University
Cambridge University Women’s Boat Club (CUWBC) and Cambridge University Lightweight Rowing Club (CULRC) are delighted to announce the appointment of Robert Weber as Chief Coach of Women and Lightweights.
Robert, a coach of multiple US Senior and Under 23 medal winning crews, joins Cambridge University from Hamilton College, New York, where he has been Head Rowing Coach and Associate Professor of Physical Education for the past four years. In that time Robert has coached three “All Americans” - considered by US College Coaches to be the best rowers in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and numerous Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) Scholar Athletes. In 2015 Hamilton Varsity Eight achieved 3rd place in the NCAA Division 3 Championships, with the overall team placing 4th.
Robert has experience of working within an academic environment with both men and women alongside his US Rowing National Team role as Assistant Coach to the U.S. Women’s Senior and Under 23 Team for the last 5 years. Robert coached last year’s CUWBC Blue Boat Stroke, Olivia Coffey, to her first World Championship Gold medal in 2013.
CUWBC Executive Chair, Siobhan Cassidy said "Robert will take CUWBC and CULRC into the next phase of Boat Race history. Robert’s passion for rowing, wealth of experience and clarity of vision really shines through; we know he will inspire the students in our team.”
CULRC Vice-Chair Bruce Perry said: “I’m delighted to welcome Robert to Cambridge University; his experience in university sport at Hamilton will be invaluable as we strive to continue to be a centre for excellence. Robert’s track record of delivering success at the university and national level of sport made him the ideal candidate to lead CULRC and CUWBC. Robert will also play a key role in helping to shape the future direction of our organisation.”
Robert will be responsible for leading the Coaching & Support team for the Women and Lightweights representing the University of Cambridge throughout the year. Nick Brooking, Director of Sport at the University of Cambridge welcomed Robert’s arrival; "We are very pleased Robert has joined the high quality and very committed team of people working together to deliver the high performance rowing programmes at the University of Cambridge."
Speaking about his new appointment Robert commented, “I'm excited to continue to work with both men and women in a high performance environment with the highly motivated scholar athletes at Cambridge. I'm also eager to work with Assistant Coaches Paddy Ryan and Astrid Cohnen, to help lead both the women and lightweights to continued success and even higher levels of performance.”
CUWBC and CULRC have a history of developing student novice rowers to elite university level. CUWBC currently leads Oxford on wins in all 3 Women’s Boat Races, and has won numerous BUCS medals, and pennants at the Women’s Eights Head, Fours’ Head of the River and British Rowing Championships. The Club has always supported individuals to pursue their sport at International level indeed every Olympic Games between 1976 and 2012 has seen at least one CUWBC athlete competing.
CULRC was founded in 1974, when lightweight rowing appeared in the World Rowing Championships and currently leads Oxford in wins at the Lightweight Men’s Boat Race. A CULRC oarsman has represented their nation at every Olympic Games since lightweight rowing was introduced at the 1996 Games.
The Presidents of the 2 Clubs added their welcome to Robert Weber:
Abigail Parker, CUWBC President:
We are thrilled to welcome Robert to our team! I can't wait to be coached by him and see what he will bring to our program from his various past experiences. His input and leadership will build on the solid foundation that we have been established this season in our work so far with Paddy and Astrid. I am confident that this complete coaching team will be effective in helping each of us to improve as athletes and in building lineups that will win Boat Races.
Tom Roe, CULRC President:
I am incredibly pleased that Robert will be taking on the role of Chief Coach. Paddy and Astrid have done a fantastic job so far this season and I am looking forwards to benefitting from Robert’s leadership and experience! Robert will complete an excellent professional coaching team which have the knowledge and experience necessary to allow our athletes to achieve their maximum potential, both on and off the water.