P G "Sam" Le Compte
Tasmania
The following tribute to Sam has been copied from an image from the Tamar Rowing Club boathouse.
Peter Geoffrey "Sam" Le Compte
9 December 1950 - 12 June 2005
NZ-born Australian coach Sam Le Compte died on 12th June 2005 after a short struggle with mesothelioma, an asbestos-induced form of lung cancer.
A former New Zealand coach, Le Compte relocated to Tasmania in 1977 after accepting the job as head coach of the Tasmanian Institute of Sport rowing program. He transformed a developing state program into an internationally recognised one within three years.
As well as Olympic success, le Compte was instrumental in Tasmania's lightweight men's four winning six consecutive Penrith Cup titles at the Interstate Championships.
Tribute from Elizabeth Jack, director TIS (the rowing service).
I have a feeling Sam may have had a hand in the day [Sam's celebration of life], starting with the scene that was set on the jetty when people arrived. His coffin was placed on the end of the jetty, with flowers, a photo of Sam and a carving of him in his coaching boat. Also on the jetty were a rowing shell and his coaching boat, complete with his jacket, megaphone and oars. What made the picture even more poignant was the mist that surrounded the jetty and drifted down the river, giving it an almost surreal look; it was a sight many of us will not forget.
The rowing club was full to the rafters, with standing room only and people spilling out the door: all there to pay their respects to a great man and coach, to share their grief and to also share a few of the hilarious Sam stories all of us can tell. The ceremony was complete with poems, prayers, songs, eulogy and a range of photographs and vision up on the screen, all of us helped paint the total Sam picture.
The day was certainly not all sadness. Each of us was able to find a few things to smile and laugh about, just as many tears were also shed. Had Sam been watching, I am sure he would have been pleased with his send-off, including the drinks and laughter shared by everyone following the service. Even the weather was just right, with rain falling lightly after the mist and fog lifted, the sunshine appearing through the clouds after the service. (Sam's hand again maybe.)
At least we can say we started with a tear and finished with a smile.
Known coaching record internationally and at Interstate Championships
Sam had a significant impact on many rowers careers. Some of the more high profile rowers include Scott Brennan, Kerry Hore, Brendan Long, Dana Faletic, Shane Broad, Darren Balmforth, Simon Burgess, Andrew Butler, Sam Beltz and Tom Edwards, just to name a few.
1998 - World Championships, Men's Lightweight Four, coach - Bronze
1999 - World Championships, Men's Lightweight Four, coach - Silver
2001 - Interstate Championships, President's Cup, coach - Silver
2001 - World Junior Championships, Men's Scull, coach - Silver
2002 - Interstate Championships, President's Cup, coach - Silver
2003 - World Under 23 Championships, Men's Scull, co-coach - Gold
2003 - World Championships, Men's Lightweight Four, coach - Seventh
2003 - World Championships, Men's Lightweight Scull, coach - Eighth
2002 - World Championships, Men's Lightweight Four, coach - Fourth
2002 - World Championships, Men's Lightweight Pair, coach - Ninth
2003 - World Under 23 Championships, Men's Lightweight Scull, co-coach - Silver
2004 - Olympic Games, Men's Lightweight Four, coach - Silver
2005 - Interstate Championships, Nell Slatter Trophy, coach - Silver
Andrew Guerin
May 2024