Subject: FW: Head Coach appointed

Dear Members, Several months ago the ARC committee committed to resourcing a head coach dedicated to the function of producing fast crews for the Avon Club. 

As the club athlete numbers grow our performances as a club need to improve. We recognize the need coaching plays in this development. We are delighted to announce that Dale Maher has accepted our offer to fulfill this role. Dale has worked with a number of the coaches and athletes over the latter part of the season, so he will be a familiar face to most of us. 

We regard Dale as one of the most gifted coaches in NZ currently. His responsibilities include… to improve the culture, coaching skills, and athlete performances of the club.  We understand we may only be a bridge to Dale moving on-to higher coaching honors, so the importance of culture and improving the coaching skills of others fulfills a large part of his role. 

It has been of concern to all of us the successful integration of the High Performance Centre and the club. Dale’s role is for the club. He will be working specifically with athletes during the summer that will race for the club, and during winter running the winter conditioning program for Avon and invitees.  We will be continuing to promote the step up of athletes to higher honors.  

The club in the last few seasons has under-performed in the club, U21 and senior classes. We believe with the commitment of athletes to change this, we now have all the parts to be competitive at every class of rowing. We have successful school programs being run by each affiliated school. Dale will be available to assist where required junior rowing within the club. The successful implementation of the transition of school to club rowing requires the club to be seen as fun place to be involved with. We are committed to ensuring the fun remains with each step we take.

Your commitment to training, and giving a little when asked will make this a special place to be.  We have made this commitment on behalf of every athlete who enjoys being a part of a fast crew. We now need members individually to step up to the plate and commit to be apart of this culture change. Every session you miss, or don’t commit 100% is lost forever.

If you truly believe you are good enough to beat other athletes and clubs that make 100% commitments when you don’t, you need to take a long hard look in the mirror and ask “who are you kidding?”… give our competition the respect they deserve!! As a club we need to get in behind Dale with this culture change. There is no substitute to work, honesty and endeavors... If you have ever dreamt of standing on top of the podium, then get down and start being apart of Avon… otherwise it may always just be a dream. Trainings are Saturdays 9am, Mondays and Wednesdays 5.30pm.

 We are now monitoring who is keen and wants to be apart of a fast crew.  Please let Dale know if you cant make it… at least then we will know you are interested.  Dales email is This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it