06 March 2025
Championing Leadership in Rowing: Honouring Our Female Coaches
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we recognise the incredible female coaches who inspire, mentor and lead the next generation of rowers at St Peter’s College. Among them are Brigette Carlile and Lucy Stephan, whose experience and passion continue to shape our programme alongside dedicated coaches Emma Hall-Craggs, Clare Romaniuk, Lily Hockings and Estelle Wollin, who each bring their own expertise and leadership to our crews.
Brigette Carlile is no stranger to high-performance rowing, having won a national title and later coaching the St Catherine’s First VIII at the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta. Since joining SPSC in 2023, she has brought a sharp competitive edge and a deep understanding of team dynamics. “The sporting culture here is constantly evolving and I love helping the boys push themselves and each other,” Brigette shares. “No two seasons are ever the same and I enjoy the challenge of working through the process to achieve our goals.”
Lucy Stephan—three-time Olympian, gold medallist and two-time World Champion rower—needs little introduction in the rowing world. She knows first-hand what it takes to succeed at the highest level. Now, as a coach at SPSC, she is committed to giving back to the sport that changed her life. “I started coaching because I wanted to help others experience the same transformative journey rowing gave me,” Lucy explains. “It’s an incredible environment to be part of and I feel privileged to work with such a dedicated group.”
Alongside Brigette and Lucy, Emma Hall-Craggs has dedicated her career to ensuring more women have fair opportunities in rowing, coaching multiple Olympic medallists while mentoring the next generation of athletes and coaches. Clare Romaniuk, Lily Hockings and Estelle Wollin have all transitioned from successful school and club rowing careers into coaching, driven by a love of the sport and a desire to give back. Each of these women plays a crucial role in fostering resilience, teamwork and confidence in our rowers, guiding them to reach their full potential both on and off the water.
Rowing Captain Ren Anderson reflects on the impact of these coaches:
“For me, I feel as though our female coaches offer us a unique and invaluable opportunity during our teenage development. Not only do they challenge us physically through our training and push us mentally in our mindset and approach to rowing, but they also play a crucial role in our emotional growth. Their ability to provide different perspectives and guidance helps us become more well-rounded athletes and individuals. The wealth of experience and knowledge they bring is priceless, and having access to their expertise is something that should be embraced and utilised as much as possible. Their presence in our program strengthens our culture, encourages accountability and helps us develop the discipline and resilience needed to succeed both in rowing and beyond.”
We thank Brigette, Lucy, Emma, Clare, Lily and Estelle for their leadership and the invaluable contributions they make to our rowing program.
Wade Hall-Craggs
Head of Rowing
