New Irish Rowing Manager Richard Parr talks exclusively to www.thewateredge.com about playing Basketball, Drinking Ale, and Driving a Pick up truck around Ireland looking to blood future Olympic Athletes, and ..... Rowing

Name: Richard Parr

Decade of Birth: the 60's (glad you didn't ask what year)

Place of Birth: Near Henley-on-Thames (honest!), England. But I grew up in Canada (hence the accent) and lived the last 7 years in New Zealand.

Describe your background in Sport?
Played ice hockey, soccer, ran x-country, taught squash, ski, golf.
Basically anything but basketball (I'm truly awful). And I have even played
a full game of Gaelic football, and smacked the sliothar around with my
hurley! (although the latter was in New Zealand). Got involved in rowing
(coxing) after a bad motorcylce accident in 1987 left me unable to run.

Greatest personal moment in Sport
Can I have two? As a coach, getting to know so many great and interesting
people, and being able to witness some extraordinary and almost unfathomable
efforts. It has often made me realise that this job has some incredible
privelidges. It makes you realise how special people can be. As an athlete,
scoring 80 goals in a 24-game season in soccer when I was 16.

Why?
See above.

Who is your Sporting Hero
Doug Hamilton (Rowing Canada). He was an administrator (and former athlete)
who represented the beginning of the changes in Canadian rowing that led to
Rowing Canada's successes in Barcelona (4 Golds, one Bronze) and Atlanta (1
Gold, 4 Silvers, 1 Bronze). And Al Morrow (Rowing Canada), for being the
best "mentor coach" anyone could ever ask for.

Why Irish Rowing?
It's an exciting time. The administration of Irish Sport now has a
commitment matches that of the athletes. Irish athletes are tough and hard
working. The opportunity to work with, and provide some leadership for these
people is one that I am very grateful to have.

Where next do you want Irish Rowing to go?
I think that we need to structure our systems and coaching programmes to
give our athletes (who truly are world class) the best opportunities for
success. If we do that, we can be one of the leading nations in the sport of
rowing. But this will take time, and the commitment of everyone involved,
from the smallest club to the current world champions. We can only get there
by working together. And if the Irish do that, they are a force to be
reckoned with.

What would you like to be remembered for in Irish Rowing?
Fairness, Optimism, Realism, and Vision

In 3 words, describe yourself to aspiring oarsmen?
Fair, Approachable, Demanding (and shorter than all of you...)

Is Irish Rowing alive or are we dreamers?
Very much alive - because you dream, but then work to get it.

What are our achievable goals in 2004?
Let's start with 2003 first!!! For 2003,if it all goes well, 4 boats
qualifying for the Olympics, some good medals at the U-23 level, a competent
crew (or two) at the Junior Worlds, and some medals from the "Coupe".

What was you first impression of Irish Rowing
Great athletes at the Lightweight level, uneducated athletes at the Hwt
level, both groups are hard-working. Some very, very dedicated coaches.
Great volunteers who do much more than the athletes sometimes realise. On
the downside, a lack of structure and the ability or desire to work together
for a common goal. One of the first things that the athletes commented on
was the amount of slagging that goes on between verious factions with their
own interests. But this is getting better.

Other Hobbies/Likes outside rowing?
Music, hiking, skiing, cycling, theatre, reading, a good evening with some
good friends....

Favourite Music?
I like almost all kinds, especially jazz and progressive rock. Acoustic
stuff can be great, and the occassional dose of classical goes down well.
I'm afraid that country music, and most things that have been
"production-lined", like boy bands etc. are unlistenable.

Favourite Food?
Ginger garlic chicken on the BBQ with a cold bottle of white wine, or a good
ale.

Favourite Place in the world?
A hut in the backcountry of the Southern Alps in the South Island of New
Zealand.

Why?
Unspoilt wilderness, peace and quiet, good company, a good fireplace, the
best starry sky that you could imagine. Need I say more?

Which person in the world would you like to be stranded on a desert island with?
My girlfriend (who is currently stranded on the above mentioned island)

What car do you drive?
In Ireland, a Toyota pick-up truck. In Canada, I have a 1973 Porsche 914
that spends 50 weeks a year tucked away in my dad's garage. Poor thing.
Although my dad, who is in his 70's doesn't seem to mind......

What car would you like to drive?
Either a 1973 Porsche 914 or a new Porsche Boxster. Don't mind which.