Issue 97 - April 1997

Williams stays at Cambridge

Hollywood producers, I am led to believe, have been known to be uncharacteristically jubilant on hearing the news that Robin Williams, the actor, has accepted a cameo part in their forthcoming movie. I was equally overjoyed when, as President, I received the news during the summer of 1994 that Robin, the rowing coach, had accepted the position as Cambridge Chief Coach. Three years on, relief has changed to delight that Cambridge will continue to benefit from Robin's expertise and that he will lead the club into the next century.

Back in the summer of 1994 I tried to explain to Robin that the Boat Race was like a drug; participate once and you're hooked. At the time, Robin was rather disbelieving, but now, two victories later, he, too, is addicted. Those who know Robin won't be surprised to read this. He is an obsessive and dedicated person and he is also someone who is used to succeeding.

As an athlete, Robin reached the top of British lightweight rowing and was a world champion silver medalist. Prior to Cambridge he was responsible for the improved status of London Rowing Club and last summer he was, at the bequest of the athletes, asked to coach the British lightweight four at the Atlanta Olympics.

When he arrived at CUBC, Robin faced a difficult task. The club had won the two previous Boat Races and had just produced one of the finest Cambridge crews ever. Not an easy act to follow, let alone improve on. Added to this is the fact that Robin was not a 'high profile' foreign coach who had led countless nations to rowing glory. Robin came to Cambridge more than able to produce the results, but he had to earn the respect of the athletes, the club and the event itself. This he has more than done, and it's been magical watching him do so.

One of Robin's strengths, and hence a strength of the Cambridge system, is his ability to work with other coaches. By pulling together the combined knowledge of coaches such as Harry Mahon and Tim McClaren, Robin has enabled everyone at Cambridge to improve. It is an indication of his inner self confidence that Robin is happy to sit back and let other coaches take the helm for a week or two during the winter whilst, at the same time, continuing to work around the clock to ensure nothing is left to chance.

The training programme at Cambridge, as I'm sure it is at Oxford, is hard: not only in terms of physical demands but also because it requires high levels of maturity and discipline from everyone involved. In this area Robin is happy to lead by example. Having said that, there is a fun side to Robin. All members of the 1995 Boat Race squad will remember the spoof movie that Robin (with the help of Goldie coach, Ian Dryden) made. Somewhat lacking in plot and cinematic skills, it was certainly the source of much laughter on the evening it was 'premiered' during the week preceding the race.

Perhaps, in this instance, the rowing Robin Williams could take a lesson from his Hollywood namesake. However, I would like to see the Hollywood star accomplish the kind of magic that our Robin performs on the water, in the gym and during all the hours in between.

It says something about the person and the club that, win or lose this year, Robin will be in charge of men's rowing at Cambridge for the next three years. Everyone will benefit from that stability and, I hope, enjoy future Boat Race campaigns with Robin in charge. Well done and good luck. You deserve it.

© Copyright R. Phelps, 1997.