Chris Holliday

Chris Holliday is an internationally experienced high-performance rowing coach and program leader with 20 years of experience across Australia, the United Kingdom and Southern Africa. His career spans schools, universities, clubs and national teams, with a proven record of developing athletes, building high-performing programs and delivering results at national and international level.

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Chris has held senior coaching and leadership positions, including Program Director at Sydney University Boat Club, Head Coach at Griffith University, Director of Rowing at St Andrew’s College in South Africa and Head Coach at Loreto Kirribilli. Across these roles, he has led athletes and crews and programs to multiple national titles, has guided schoolboys’ and schoolgirls’ eights to national championship gold medal success in Australia and South Africa while developing athletes who have progressed to state, national and international representation.

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His international coaching experience spans 13 international campaigns with Australia, South Africa and Namibia. His achievements include coaching Australia’s Under 19 men’s double scull to bronze at the 2024 World Rowing Championships and guiding Paralympian Erik Horrie to silver medals at the 2026 World Rowing Championships and World Cup events. His experience also includes medal-winning performances at Henley Royal Regatta, the Head of the Charles and other major international regattas, alongside helping qualify Namibia’s first-ever Olympic rower.

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Beyond competition, Chris is committed to building sustainable rowing programs that deliver lasting success. His work encompasses athlete pathways, talent identification, learn-to-row initiatives, para-rowing development, coach education and community engagement, including mentoring coaches and supporting township rowing initiatives in South Africa. He believes the future of rowing depends not only on developing athletes, but also on strengthening the coaches, clubs and environments that enable them to thrive.

Combining technical expertise, innovative thinking, collaborative leadership and a people-centred approach to performance, Chris continues to contribute to rowing at every level. His philosophy is clear: build the right environment, invest in people and establish the foundations for sustained success.