"VAN" (Sports Desk - 12.01.2025) :: Rowing Australia (RA) has added more depth to its coaching ranks post-Paris, with Nicolo Maurogiovanni returning to Australia after a successful stint in Ireland to take up a role at the Reinhold Batschi National Training Centre in Canberra.
Maurogiovanni is an Italian-born Australian who began his coaching career at Trinity College in Perth, where he was a former Captain of Boats. He rowed at Youth Olympic level in 2012 (Bronze Medal - LM2x) and has gone on to make his mark as a coach in Ireland, first in their pathways system before moving to the national High Performance program.
Maurogiovanni will work with new men’s Head Coach Chris O’Brien, who was appointed to lead that program heading into the new Olympic cycle, with former Team GB coach James Harris hired at the same time as Head Coach of the women’s program at the Hancock Prospecting National Training Centre in Penrith.
James Loveday was appointed as Head Coach of the para program to round out a series of recruiting coups heading into 2025 for RA and the Rowsellas.
Maurogiovanni had a leading role in reshaping Ireland’s men’s junior and Under 23 talent pipeline, where his work with the Men’s Four and Men’s Double Sculls saw them record podium finishes at the World Rowing U23 Championships in 2021 (Four), 2022 (Double) and 2023 (Four).
He mentored the Men’s Pair as they took Bronze at the World Rowing Championships in 2023 and coached them to the A Final at the Olympic Games in Paris.
RA Performance Director Paul Thompson MBE said Maurogiovanni was a talented young coach who would bring fresh ideas, innovation and inspiration with him as he returns from Europe to Australia.
"We think Nico will be a great fit to work alongside Chris in our men’s program. He will bring the kind of energy and drive we want to see as we begin the new Olympic cycle and gear up for our first major events since Paris later this year,” Thompson said.
Tokyo Olympic Champion Alex Hill OAM welcomed the appointment of Maurogiovanni and said his athlete-centred coaching philosophy would be an ideal fit at RA.
"I'm excited to have Nicolo coach at the Reinhold Batschi National Training Centre. I believe he will bring a lot of experience from his past campaigns with the Irish Rowing Team as well as excitement to the Men's Squad," Hill said.
Maurogiovanni will work with a strong mix of experienced campaigners and new faces at the NTC in Canberra when he begins his tenure on January 13.
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