Lehigh University Athletics
Conley announces hire of James Harding as assistant rowing coach
9/23/2010 2:12:00 PM | Men's Rowing, Women's Rowing
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh University and Steven J. '69 and Karen A. Lee Head Rowing Coach Brian Conley announced the addition of James Harding as assistant coach on Thursday. Harding brings a wealth of coaching and rowing experience from his native Australia.
Harding will assist in all aspects of the Mountain Hawks' program, with a focus on the freshman/novice crews. He will help prepare the freshmen for rowing on the varsity by teaching novices and recruited athletes how to compete at a high level.
“I'm excited about the move,” said Harding. “Lehigh is such a phenomenal institution with a wealth of sporting tradition and success, both academically and athletically. It will be a great experience for me and the student-athletes to be a part of the rowing program at Lehigh. The program has so much potential and I can't wait to get started.”
Harding has enjoyed extensive experience in the sport, both as a rower and coach. He most recently coached at Redlands School in Sydney where he served as Rowing Headmaster. He was responsible for all aspects of coaching and administration for the program. Some of his key roles included developing a racing schedule and proposal for school administration, developing various training regimens, coordinating boat allocation and more.
“We are excited to have James join the staff,” said Conley. “His wealth of experience as an athlete and as a coach at many levels of rowing will bring the experience and depth of the program to the level we want. His positive energy and enthusiasm for the sport has already had a dramatic effect at the boathouse and will lead to some good freshman crews on the water.”
Prior to Redlands, Harding served as Trans-Tasman Tour Manager for Team Australia, responsible for numerous tasks including boat trailer transportation, itinerary construction and finances. He also has coaching experience with the Presbyterian women (located in Croydon, New South Wales), Sydney University and the Sydney Rowing Club.
Harding has impressed in competition as well. Some of his many notable feats include serving as an Australian representative in the World University Championships in Belgrade, Serbia. He won Gold in the U23 Coxed Four as part of the Australian Nationals. He also won Gold at the NSW State Championships, in the Elite Eight, Elite Coxed Four and Elite Coxless Four.
Harding has enjoyed success in America as well, including first-place finishes in the Varsity Pair and Freshman Coxed Four at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association Regatta. He also participated in the Dad Vails Regatta in Philadelphia.
A graduate of Sydney University with a Bachelor's Degree in Education, Harding was previously awarded a full rowing scholarship at Temple University in Philadelphia where he began his career in 2005.
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