Cambridge University Boat Club has announced today the appointment of Duncan Holland as Chief Coach to succeed Robin Williams.
Holland will take over from Williams who remains in charge of the crews for his 11th Boat Race, sponsored by Xchanging, on March 27th.
On 1st April, Williams takes up a post with the Amateur Rowing Association as a GB squad coach.
Holland has 20 years experience in the development of high performance rowing squads, including a close involvement with the Dutch, Swiss and New Zealand National Teams. Most recently he has been working with the Dutch Womens group, including the eight that won a medal in Athens.
Holland was born in the UK but brought up in New Zealand, where he rowed at international level between 1973 and 1980
At Cambridge Duncan will be responsible for all aspects of the development of crews to win the Boat Race. In addition he will prepare Cambridge crews for other events during the year, and help individual athletes to gain International selection.
He will formally take up his appointment in April. Said Duncan: I am greatly looking forward to working with the CUBC. The combination of a group of excellent athletes, an extremely tough race, and a club that puts a premium on boat moving skills presents a unique and exciting challenge.
David Gillard, who rowed for Cambridge in the Boat Race in 1991-93, led the search and selection team. He feels that Duncan has just the mix of skills and experience we are looking for to build on our recent successes and to take Cambridge forward.
CUBC President Andrew Shannon is delighted. Duncan understands the way we row at Cambridge, and will be able to continue Robin Williams good work. It is an added bonus that he will be able to start right away and help us with our summer programme. I am also pleased that we have been able to get the appointment settled now, so that we can concentrate on beating Oxford in this years races
CV Duncan Holland
2003, 2004 National Coach, Royal Dutch Rowing Federation,
2001, 2002 National Coach, Swiss Rowing Federation,
1999, 2000 Chief Coach, A.U.S.R. Orca, Utrecht, Netherlands
1996 to 1999 National Development Coach, Rowing New Zealand.
1992 to 1996 Head Coach, Seeclub Zurich, Switzerland.