Our Coaches and Volunteers
Our freelance coaches and volunteers are the heart of East Anglia Youth Rowing, bringing passion, expertise, and dedication to every session, and playing a vital role in inspiring and empowering the young people we work with.
We are always seeking to work with passionate coaches who share our mission to improve access to rowing and empower young people. Please contact us or go to Jobs page to find out more.
Our Staff
Programmes Director
Sam Richardson
Sam Richardson directs our program across Camrbidge, Norfolk, Suffolk, Northampton, Bedford and Essex. Sam grew up in Canada, he learnt to row while doing an undergrad at Oxford Brookes and continued through his masters, at Brookes as well as Essex. After graduating he joined the charity sector, later joining EAYR in February 2025.
Program Manager
Bryony Randall
Bryony learnt to row as a junior at City of Cambridge Rowing Club and then became junior captain in her last year in the squad. She now coaches for the current juniors as well as for EAYR and continues to row with the City senior women.
Chief Happiness Officer
Jessie
As our Chief Happiness Officer, Jessie is well known along the River Cam supporting rowers in keeping energy up and is always excited to be involved!
Our Directors
Chair
Tony Nelder
Tony learned to row while he was a pupil of Netherhall School in Cambridge and has been at the heart of the Cambridge rowing scene for many years as a coach, rower and most recently as president of City of Cambridge Rowing Club.
Secretary, Safeguarding Lead
Seb Walker
Seb began rowing in 1990 while studying in Cambridge. Having then moved into professional roles in his career, Seb continues to be involved in rowing through coaching, volunteering and getting on the river himself.
Treasurer
Sam Luke
Sam Luke is the chair of City of Cambridge Rowing Club (CCRC), he started rowing in Cambridge as a student before going on to spent 40 years in the corporate world, finishing his career as the vice president of Illumina in 2024. Having continued to row since he was a student, Sam became the fleet manager of CCRC from 2019-2025.
Our Advisory Board
Andrew Blit
Andrew learnt to row at school and has been a member of Sudbury RC since 1996. Having served his club in various capacities Andrew is currently Chair of Eastern Region Rowing Council, has been Regional Representative and sat on BR Audit & Risk Committee. In life outside rowing Andrew is a Director (Trustee) of a Multi Academy Trust providing primary education in 21 academies across Suffolk.
Carmen Failla
Carmen learned to row as a junior at Star Club in Bedford and went on to compete at Syracuse University. She has coached at schools in Bedford and is currently Head Rowing Coach at St Catherine’s College, Cambridge.
Chris Newland
Chris learnt to row at St Ives RC whilst a pupil at the St Ivo School. He has previously been heavily involved at both St Ives and Huntingdon Rowing Club. He is a BR umpire and is Managing Director of Global partnership Ltd.