Susie Franklin is our Lead Junior Development Coach. Susie brings a wealth of experience in nurturing young talent and building strong, accessible rowing programs.
Susie's coaching journey began in the UK, where she worked at Leeds Junior Rowing Academy (LJRA). In collaboration with her colleagues, she successfully prepared crews for prestigious events, including the Henley Women's Regatta, Henley Royal Regatta, and the National Schools Regatta. Her achievements during this time include:
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A boys' quad that competed at the Henley Royal Regatta in the Fawley Challenge Cup and the National Schools Regatta.
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U15 boys' coxed four that placed 4th in the U17 category at the National Schools Regatta.
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Division 1 U17 girls' quad that competed at the Henley Women’s Regatta and the National Schools Regatta.
Concurrently with her role at LJRA, Susie taught and coached at various schools within the GORSE Academies Trust.
Since her move to Australia, Susie has served as the Junior Coordinator at Carey Baptist Grammar School. In this position, she focused on optimizing training sessions for maximum technical and physical development. Her work has also involved building strong relationships with schools across Melbourne to identify and attract talented athletes to Mercantile.
Susie's coaching philosophy centers on making rowing accessible to all, believing that committed athletes deserve a program that empowers them to achieve their goals. Her vision is to build a robust developmental program that provides the tools and support necessary for long-term success both on and off the water.
