Rob Dauncey
Head of Rowing
Rob joins DUBC as Head of Rowing in 2021 after rowing legend, Wade Hall-Craggs, stepped down from the post in 2020. Rob has spent over 10 years coaching the best that Great Britain has to offer, having spent five years as a high-performance coach at Leander before stepping into his position coaching on the GB Team.
Here, Rob coached multiple crews to world medals, including two silvers for the Men’s pair in 2014 and 2015 behind the formidable New Zealand pair. At the Rio Olympics, Rob coached DUBC Alum, Stewart Innes, to a 4th place in the Men’s pair.
In previous roles, Rob was the Director of Rowing at Wallingford RC when it was designated a British Rowing High Performance Centre, culminating in the club producing a number of Olympic and World level athletes.
The goal is to reinstate Durham as the top university boat club in the country, winning races on the biggest stages and getting people selected for the national team. For us, this means winning the men’s and women’s eights categories at Henley Royal Regatta for the first time in DUBC history.
Email: robert.dauncey@durham.ac.uk
Will Fletcher
Lead Coach
A former Durham alumnus from 2011, Will held the position of Development Coach shortly after graduating. After pursuing a career as an international rower, Will has recently been appointed the position of Lead Rowing Coach in 2022. Will's extensive history as a performance athlete brings courage, passion and experience of the pathway to his role. Will has represented Great Britain since the age of 15, winning numerous international medals and GB trials three times. Will's successes continued in his rowing career, succeeding as a 2010 Under23 World Champion, 2012 European Silver medal, 2013 and 2015 Bronze World Cup winner, 7th place in Rio Olympics in 2016 and World Cup Gold in 2017.
Holly Young
Assistant coach - Beginner lead
Before coming to Durham, Holly rowed and coached at Chester-Le-Street Amateur Rowing Club. Holly has coached different clubs and squads across the North of England, many of her athletes went on to trial within the GB junior system. Holly moved to Durham University Boat Club as an Assistant Rowing Coach in 2021, and now leads our Development Program and is tasked with identifying those with Olympic potential and fast tracking their development through the GB High Performance Pathway.
Email: holly.young@durham.ac.uk
Dan Armstrong Recruitment manager/ coach
A former Durham alumnus at undergraduate and postgraduate level, Dan began his time here as an undergraduate in our men’s program, before injury forced a sideways step into the position of Development Coach. During his time as postgraduate student Dan coached in the senior men’s program and as of the beginning of the 23/24 season he holds the position of Recruitment Manager and is tasked with the identification and recruitment of world class talent into our program, with the aim of reinstating Durham as the top university boat club in the country.
If you are interested in joining DUBC please fill out our recruitment form or you can contact Dan directly at – daniel.armstrong@durham.ac.uk
Jon BOyle
Strength and Conditioning Coach
In his 14 years at DUBC, Jon has supported the coaching team in producing DUBC athletes to a top standard. Jon has strength trained recreationally since he was 15, and has found the job of his dreams at DUBC, who have invested in his education and development, which is something he gives back to the club time and time again.
In particular, Jon enjoys the combination of high academic achievement and high sporting achievement that we foster at DUBC, and he believes that this makes our club a special and beautiful place.
Jon aims to annually produce rowers who perform at BUCS, and are capable of feeding into, and tolerating, the GB U23 Rowing Program, something that he consistently and passionately succeeds in doing.
Shane Hassall
physiotherapist
Shane has been DUBC’s physio for the last two season. As an athlete, Shane competed to a National standard in Swimming, 50m Freestyle being his main event. Shane is a Chartered Physiotherapist and Accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach, in a previous position he was part of the support team for Para-triathlon, assisting athletes to World/European Championship wins.
graeme foreman
Performance lifestyle coach
Graeme brings over 25 years of experience in business, sport and education to DUBC, where he works on fulfilling potential and performance with the members of our club. Further to his role as our psychologist, Graeme is also the club’s ambassador for Clean Sport and the 100% Me campaign, delivering important information to all our athletes.
Graeme works within the world of performance coaching, mentoring, lifestyle and psychology and uses his breadth of experience with a variety of clients in his work as a Performance Consultant. With the help of Graeme, DUBC athletes are able to develop a strong mindset as they move through challenges at top level sport, and are supported as they reach their sporting potential.
Dan Wood Performance Nutritionist
Dan has been at DUBC for 4 years now as performance nutritionist and also works at Team Durham as an S&C coach. He is a Durham local and previously competed in Rugby 7’s, sprinting, kayaking and rock climbing.
With a background in professional rugby, adventure sports and rugby 7s, Dan works to educate DUBC athletes in how best to support themselves with the food they eat. Providing support with nutrition strategy, planning, health, and advice on body composition.
Dan has overseen several successes on the program both in terms of results on the water and developing a positive food culture with DUBC.
Athletes that Dan has worked with have gone on to win multiple gold medals at world champion ship level in different sports and even on to the world podium pathway and Olympic squads. His ambition is to aid in helping athletes at DUBC achieve their highest both in sport and in life.
kathryn henderson
sport massage therapist
Kathryn has been with us at DUBC for 10 years, and has been a practising therapist for 15 years. She owns her own practice in Ryton, next to Tyne United Rowing Club, as well as working with our rowers. Kathryn focuses on soft tissue work, acupuncture and taping, making sure that all of our athletes have any injuries dealt with, and keeping us all robust and ache free.