Adam Freeman-Pask caught up with Will Hetherington, Lead Junior Coach at Fulham Reach Boat Club on what it’s been like running the junior squad.
Earlier this year, Fulham Reach Boat Club was recognised by the Sport Recreation Alliance as Community Club of the Year 2024, a prestigious award and fantastic achievement for a boat club when you consider there are over 150,000 sports clubs in the UK.
How did you start rowing?
For me, the journey into rowing was a bit different compared to many others. As a kid, I was quite sporty, but my schooling involved a lot of chopping and changing, making me feel quite unsettled. My dad had rowed during his school years at Canford School, and in my sixth form, I decided to give rowing a try. I was partly drawn to the blazers that the athletes wore and the aura around the guys in the first team. More importantly, I was looking for a sense of belonging in the school. Rowing provided an avenue for me to channel all my energy and find my identity within the school. Unfortunately, I ended up getting glandular fever and couldn’t achieve my goal of making the first team, but this experience significantly shaped me as a coach down the line. It taught me about finding identity through sports and dealing with circumstances that prevent you from achieving your goals, and how to re-evaluate what you want to get out of it.
What attracted you to coach at Fulham Reach Boat Club?
My coaching journey began as a way to fund my own rowing, and I soon found that coaching greatly enhanced my understanding of the sport. I’ve coached at various school programs, including a stint in Australia. When I returned to London, I was unsure where to take my coaching career. A pivotal moment was reading the book A Most Beautiful Thing by Arshay Cooper, recommended to me by a fellow coach. Inspired by the book, I wanted to take a different path in my rowing coaching career. Fulham Reach Boat Club, a charity club with ties to the Boat Club’s “Boats Not Bars” programme, offered a unique opportunity to work with prisoners who wouldn’t typically have access to rowing. The chance to help create a sense of purpose and a passion through rowing for juniors who may lack direction resonated with me, leading me to join Fulham Reach.
How have you helped create an inclusive program for the young people at Fulham Reach Boat Club?
I joined the club after COVID-19, during a time when the Junior programme needed a new structure. One of my first initiatives was to get kids rowing with others who shared similar goals, regardless of their school year. Fulham Reach brings together boys and girls from diverse backgrounds and schools, creating a vibrant atmosphere. This approach fostered a supportive environment where young people could thrive together. Another initiative where I have devoted my energy is creating young leaders at the club with the volunteer programme. This is done through the different opportunities for juniors to volunteer and encourage the younger less experienced rowers, and hence help with their own personal development. These juniors create a safer and more enjoyable experience in challenging tidal conditions and helps develop the coach and athlete relationship.
What have been your highlights of coaching at Fulham Reach?
One major highlight has been working on the Free Water Sport Weeks. This initiative for local children allows juniors to volunteer and helps them gain a sense of empowerment by assisting kids new to the sport. It’s incredible to see our juniors’ confidence grow as they take on leadership roles and become part of the coaching team. These weeks are transformative for newcomers too. Kids who have never been on the river before quickly pick up new skills and come out of their shells. The diverse workshops and activities during these weeks, from rowing to boxing, help kids find their passion in a safe, supportive environment. Another big highlight has been goal setting for groups of young people within the wider rowing landscape, so rather than following a traditional calendar led campaign we have been strategic around picking the right events to ensure that they have the most positive experience that matches the amount of rowing they are realistically able to do. An example of this was forming a mixed gender 8+ to race at The School’s Head, coming away with second place in the category.
Another one has to be taking large number of juniors to race at the Ball Cup south and expose them to multi-lane racing at Dorney Lake, as these regattas exist to support the smaller programs.
It is also important to not put a ceiling on what the junior program can achieve and I have enjoyed the journey of taking crews to race at Women’s Henley and Henley Royal qualifiers. This year we have a boys’ 8+ racing in the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup, being only one of three British clubs, rather than schools, to enter. It’s an honour and a privilege for us to have the opportunity to take a boat down the Henley track representing Fulham Reach.
Lastly, the opportunity to learn and develop myself as a coach from experienced coaches such as Alastair Horn. With a calm and confident approach to his coaching Al is an integral part of the junior program and I have enjoyed working alongside him since me joining 3 years ago.
The junior squad at Fulham Reach is a very special environment where everyone reaps the benefits from a happy and supportive club.
What learnings from the Junior Programme at Fulham Reach would you share with other clubs?
Focusing on the fun element first and what they can do, rather than what they can’t. It is critically important to not get to transfixed on an outcome but instead see the ripple effect that the right
environment has on its juniors. One key lesson is learning to give up control and allow juniors to take on leadership roles. It’s about creating the right environment where everyone can thrive and feel open to sharing their ideas.
Empowering them to help develop younger rowers in turn fosters a supportive community and
enhances everyone’s experience, encouraging openness and growth and making the
program more inclusive and effective. I’m grateful to work alongside such a strong management team that make it happen.
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