Draft:Jim Ferguson (rowing coach)
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Comment: In accordance with Wikipedia's Conflict of interest policy, I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article. Roryburden (talk) 14:00, 9 May 2025 (UTC)
Jim Ferguson is a Scottish rowing coach best known for his long tenure as head coach (often titled “rowing master”) of the George Watson’s College Boat Club in Edinburgh.[1] He was appointed as a full-time coach at George Watson’s in 2002 and led the program through the 2000s and into the early 2010s. Under his guidance, George Watson’s crews won numerous national junior titles and even set British junior championship record times (for example, in the Girls J16 eight and Open J16 four).[2]
Ferguson coached many rowers who went on to international success: notably, Olympic silver medallist Harry Leask began rowing as a junior at Watson’s under Ferguson,[3] and Callum McBrierty “learned to row at George Watson’s College” under Ferguson’s tutelage.[4]
Early life and education
[edit]Little is published about Ferguson’s early life or education. He is known to be Scottish and is primarily documented in sources in the context of his coaching career.
Coaching career
[edit]Ferguson’s career is most closely associated with George Watson’s College in Edinburgh. In 2002, he was named the school’s first full-time rowing master.[5] During his tenure, George Watson’s became one of Scotland’s top school rowing programs.
His crews achieved significant results at national competitions: for example, GW College boats set British Rowing Junior Championship record times in events such as the Junior Girls 16 eight (time 8:23.23 in 2019) and the Junior Open 16 coxed four (6:50.03 in 2013).[6] The program regularly produced rowers for Scottish national school teams and British junior squads.
Ferguson also coached a number of rowers who went on to senior-level success. Harry Leask, who later won a silver medal in the men’s quadruple sculls at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, got his start in rowing as a junior at Watson’s under Ferguson.[7] Likewise, Callum McBrierty, who in 2016 won a world championship gold medal in the coxed pair, began his rowing career in 2004 at George Watson’s College with Ferguson listed as one of his original coaches.[8]
Recognition
[edit]Ferguson’s contributions have been acknowledged within Scottish rowing circles. In addition to coaching, he has served in official capacities at rowing events. For example, he was appointed Joint Race Controller at the Scottish Schools’ “Head of the Canal” regatta in 2015.[9]
Legacy
[edit]Ferguson’s legacy is reflected in both the continued success of the George Watson’s rowing program and the achievements of his former pupils. The program he built remained strong after his departure: for instance, in 2025 a Watson’s junior quad won the Open J17 event at a national sculling head race.[10] His former rowers have also made their mark internationally. As noted, Harry Leask and Callum McBrierty – both of whom learned the sport at Watson’s while Ferguson was coach – went on to become Olympic and World Championship medallists.
References
[edit]- ^ Mackenzie, Roddy (10 May 2002). "Rowing under fresh starter's orders". TES.
- ^ "British Rowing Junior Championships – Record Times". British Rowing.
- ^ "New horizons for Harry Leask". British Rowing. 4 April 2023.
- ^ "Callum McBrierty". British Rowing.
- ^ Mackenzie, Roddy (10 May 2002). "Rowing under fresh starter's orders". TES.
- ^ "British Rowing Junior Championships – Record Times". British Rowing.
- ^ "New horizons for Harry Leask". British Rowing. 4 April 2023.
- ^ "Callum McBrierty". British Rowing.
- ^ "Scottish Schools' Head of the Canal Races 2015: Race Instructions" (PDF). Scottish Rowing. 28 March 2015.
- ^ "Dominant wins define 2025 Oarsport Junior Sculling Head". British Rowing. 27 March 2025.