OUR TEAM
THE INFINITY BOAT CLUB TEAM
KEITH BROWN
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Keith has been involved in rowing for 50 years as a keen athlete and enthusiastic coach and administrator. He has set up and run school rowing clubs in state schools and chaired community-based sports projects, winning regional awards and National recognition. Coaching all ages from juniors age under 10 to Masters in their 90’s he has experience of coaching athletes across a whole spectrum of ages. He has introduced thousands of people to rowing and sculling, taking them from beginners to World Championships.
His experience includes Head of Rowing and Housemaster at Wycombe Abbey School in China, Lead Performance Coach at Emanuel School, Senior Rowing Coach at London Oratory School, Head Coach at Christ College Oxford University, Boathouse Manager and Coach at Royal Shrewsbury School, and Head Rowing Coach for Inner London Education Authority.
CIARÁN LONGMORE
DIRECTOR OF ROWING
Ciarán is a passionate junior rowing coach who believes in bringing rowing to the widest possible community. He has been coaching for the past five years in schools, local rowing clubs, universities and the GB START program for high performance athletes new to rowing. Most recently he coordinated the rowing program at the GORSE Academies Trust in Leeds developing indoor rowing for over 5000 pupils aged between 11 and 18. He has also coached at Leeds and York City Rowing Clubs including athletes that have competed at Henley Royal Regatta, national regatta and the Junior World Championships.
MICHELLE HOLDSWORTH
SAFEGUARDING OFFICER
Michele’s role is to support Infinity Boat Club and everyone associated with it to create safe, inclusive environments, respond to and coordinate action within the club upon receipt of any concerns or disclosures. While she is the focal point, it is the responsibility of our trustees, all members and visitors to uphold British Rowing safeguarding policies and procedures in order to safeguard children and adults at risk.
Should your child experience welfare issues around boat selection, training and progress queries, confidence/performance anxiety, relationships with squad or crew mates or injury concerns, your coach is the first port of call; in most cases your coach will work with you and your child to effectively and swiftly resolve the matter.
If you do not feel that the issue has been resolved, it should be referred to Keith Brown our Chief Executive, either by email [email protected] or in person.
HARRY COE
ROWING COACH
Harry joins the Infinity team as a Rowing Coach, he is passionate about expanding access to rowing, he is very keen to showcase to Stockton, and the World what young people on Teesside are capable of achieving on and off the water.
He learnt to row as a Junior in the Northeast at Durham Amateur Rowing Club (DARC). This is where he started his coaching career, helping develop the DARC Junior squad, to achieve success at National Level. During this time, aged only 18 he qualified as a Level 2 rowing coach, a rare achievement for one so young.
Harry studied at The University of London (UL), becoming Captain of the men’s rowing team. During his time competing for UL, he qualified for Henley Royal Regatta three times, had high placings in major ‘Head Races’ and was an ‘A’ finalist at numerous British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) National Championships.
RICHARD OLVER
CLUB WELFARE OFFICER (CWO)
Richard’s role in Infinity Boat Club is the alternate Club Welfare Officer, apart from supporting Michele Holdsworth, the club, and everyone affiliated with it, he will be the alternative point of contact for welfare matters, in the absence of Michele. Both are here to create a safe, inclusive environment and respond to concerns and disclosures. Whilst the CWO’s are the safeguarding focal point, it should be remembered that it is the responsibility of the committee, all members and visitors, to uphold our safeguarding policies in order to safeguard children and adults at risk at all times.
Richard was born in Teesside and has been resident ever since, he is extremely proud of the area and the rich history associated with it. Having retired in April 2023, following a highly successful 48-year career in the Road Transport and Logistics industry, he has been actively engaged in voluntary work within the local community.
Richard was first introduced to rowing at Tees Rowing Club in 2004, since then he has been hooked on this great sport, competing for his Club whenever free to do so. In addition to being a competitor, he has been an active member of The Tees Rowing Club Management Team, serving on The Club Committee.
MELISSA (MEL) HUNTER
STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACH
Melissa joins Infinity Boat Club as our Strength and Conditioning Coach, holding a BSc degree in ‘Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation’ and MSc degree in ‘Strength and Conditioning’.
Melissa went to a state school in Teesside, where she developed her current passion for sport. During these formative years she decided a career in sport was going to be her chosen path in life.
In 2019, Melissa graduated from Teesside University with a BSc Degree in ‘Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation’. Whilst studying Melissa coached at commercial gyms in Teesside, gaining experience on delivering health and fitness classes to groups of mixed ability. She also gained experience working as a Personal Trainer, producing bespoke training schedules for athletes.
Melissa keen to expand her knowledge, successfully enrolled and completed a MSc degree in Strength and Conditioning at Teesside University. Whilst studying she worked closely with Middlesbrough and Hartlepool United Football Clubs, working with professional players, as part of her dissertation on hip strength. During this time, she also gained excellent experience, working with children and young adults by delivering Strength and Conditioning sessions to young female athletes.
Melissa having combined her ‘Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation’ degree with her MSc in ‘Strength and Conditioning’ now has an excellent understanding of athlete development, sports performance and injury prevention.