Chris Holliday
Founder and Head Coach


I'm a passionate and driven high-performance rowing coach with near 20 years of international coaching experience across Australia, the UK, and Southern Africa.  Throughout my career, I've led athletes and programs to national titles and international podiums, including representation at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.  My coaching philosophy centres on building sustainable high-performance cultures grounded in athlete wellbeing, collaboration, and purpose-driven training. I believe true excellence comes from environments where both athletes and coaches are empowered to grow and perform at their best.  Most recently, I served as Head Coach at Griffith University where I led program development, athlete pathways, and coach mentoring. Prior to that, I was Program Director and Men’s Development Coach at Sydney University Boat Club, guiding the team to multiple national titles and integrating sports science, athlete monitoring, and long-term performance planning.

Internationally, I’ve coached at the World Rowing Championships, World University Games, Henley Royal Regatta, and Head of the Charles, with a recent highlight being a bronze medal at the 2024 World Rowing Under 19 Championships in Canada. My coaching background spans successful tenures with the national teams of Australia, South Africa, and Namibia including qualifying Namibia’s first-ever Olympic rower.

I remain deeply committed to talent identification and athlete development at all stages, with a special focus on emerging athletes and para-rowers. I take pride in creating inclusive, high-performance environments that bring out both character and capability.

With a strong foundation in collaborative leadership, technical expertise, and strategic program design, I’m focused on continuing to contribute to Australian rowing through innovation, integrity, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Hayley Biddle
Athlete Relations and Operations Lead

Hayley is the Athlete Relations & Operations Lead at CHHPC and is passionate about helping create a positive, professional, and athlete-focused environment for rowers of all ages and abilities.

Working behind the scenes, Hayley manages much of the day-to-day operations that keep CHHPC running smoothly, including IT and administration, website content, athlete communications, travel coordination, merchandise, custom zootie design and ordering, athlete apparel, and branding initiatives. She enjoys bringing ideas to life and ensuring athletes have a seamless experience both on and off the water.

A proud member of the masters rowing community, Hayley is also an active masters single sculler who understands firsthand the dedication, challenges, and rewards that come with pursuing excellence in the sport. Alongside her rowing, she enjoys strength training and has a particular interest in building strength and athletic performance in the gym.

Rowing has been a significant part of Hayley's life for many years, both as an athlete and volunteer. Through CHHPC, she enjoys combining her passion for the sport with her organisational skills to help create opportunities for athletes and contribute to the continued growth of the rowing community.

Marcus Free
Guest High Performance Coach

Marcus Free is a former elite Australian rower and highly respected coach with achievements spanning national and international rowing. As a rower, he was a member of the The Southport School 1st VIII that won both the Head of the River and National Schoolboy Championship titles, before going on to become a 10-time National Champion. He represented Australia internationally, winning two Henley Royal Regatta championships, multiple World Cup medals, and a bronze medal at the World Championships.

As a coach, Marcus has built an outstanding record at state, national, and international level. He served as Queensland Kings Cup Coach and coached Jackson Free to seven consecutive Queensland Men’s Open Scull Championships. His crews have won multiple National Championships, including the 2026 Men’s Double Scull title. Marcus has also coached within the Australian U19 and U23 pathways, including a silver medal performance at the World Junior Championships. Two of his athletes, Jackson Free and Cormac Kennedy-Leverett, are members of the current 2026 Australian Men’s Quad Scull.

CHHPC is incredibly fortunate to have Marcus involved as a Guest Coach for the Junior Elite Training Squad. His time is highly valued, and athletes are given the rare opportunity to learn from one of Australia's most accomplished and respected coaching minds. His guidance, technical expertise, and mentoring provide invaluable learning experiences for both athletes and coaches alike.

It is a genuine privilege and honour for CHHPC to have Marcus contribute to the development of our athletes. His involvement reflects the calibre of expertise we strive to provide within our programs, and we are deeply appreciative of the knowledge, experience, and perspective he brings.