The Trent and Peterborough Rowing Clubs are pleased to announce that former Olympian and World Championship rower, Jacqui Cook, has been appointed as the new head coach and will help lead both clubs to future success.

“I was thrilled to be appointed head coach. I’ll be surrounded by great people who are passionate about the sport and who will do what’s best for the club/varsity program and the community,” says Ms. Cook, who first came to Trent in 2010 to coach the women’s heavyweight team.

Officially taking on the role February 14, 2011, Ms. Cook will split her time between the Trent Rowing Club and the Peterborough Rowing Club. With the University club, she will be overseeing the men’s and women’s varsity, junior varsity and novice teams. With the Peterborough Rowing Club, she will be overseeing competitive summer programs, high school rowing, masters rowing, recreational rowing and learn to row programs.

“We are delighted to welcome Jacqui to our terrific group of varsity coaches,” says Bill Byrick, director of Athletics at Trent University. “Jacqui has competed at the highest levels and she will have much to offer as we continue to build the calibre of our program. With Jacqui at the helm of our Trent varsity rowing program and Carol Love as the coach of our National Development Centre, and with the addition of our state-of-the-art new Athletics Centre and rowing training facilities, we are poised for great excellence in the quality of our program and the student athlete experience we provide.”

Ken Hoard, president of the Peterborough Rowing Club, echoes Mr. Byrick’s enthusiasm, saying, “Jacqui brings a wealth of rowing experience and a passion for the sport to the PRC. Jacqui's enthusiasm is infectious and her ability to elevate rowers of all levels will benefit all of our members.”

Talking about her vision for the clubs, Ms. Cook says, “The Peterborough Rowing Club has a long tradition of success, and is located on one of the greatest waterways in Canada. This is highlighted by the recent selection as a Training Development Center. I hope to continue this success and with the new addition of the Carol Love Rowing/Paddling Tank, lead the Peterborough Rowing Club to being one of the most highly regarded clubs in Canada. I’d also like the rowing club to have a bigger name in the community, get more people involved in the sport. I’ve had so many great experiences due to rowing and the people I’ve had a chance to sit in a boat with; I want others to share those experiences. My vision for Trent is to take the varsity program to the next level. With the new state-of-the-art athletics centre and rowing tank we have the tools to make it happen. I feel Trent is on the brink of excellence and I want to bring home a banner.”

A former Olympian, Ms. Cook rowed with the Canadian team at the 2004 Games. While representing Canada, she has won numerous medals at World Championships, World Cups, English Henley, Head of the Charles and National Championships. Highlights include clinching a bronze and silver medal in the women’s pair event at 2001 and 2002 World Championships and in 2003, a bronze in the women’s eight. This past summer Ms. Cook competed at Masters World Championships winning in the mixed quad and then going on to row in the mixed double for the first time with her dad. In her first year of coaching at Trent, she improved the performance of the women’s heavyweight team from a 12th place ranking to fifth in Canada. In 2010, she was also nominated for Ontario University Athletics (OUA) female coach of the year.