Brian J Richardson OAM, ASM
Torrens Rowing Club (SA) then Adelaide University Boat Club (SA) then Monash University Boat Club (VIC) and then Mercantile Rowing Club (VIC)
Brian was a highly respected and long serving athlete, an exceptional coach who successfully coached elite rowers throughout the world whilst equally being able to develop young rowers in both club and school areas, successful head coach of Australia and Canada and is currently a very effective Chairman of the Australian rowing selectors.
His career is outstanding, long and very effective.
He has held prominent coaching positions in Canada, Denmark, South Korea and Australia. He went to Canada following the Sydney Olympics and returned to Australia in 2004.
His rowing record in the Interstate Men’s Eight Championship is magnificent. On his 13th attempt, he won the race and then went to win it as rower and coach a further eight times.
His record as head coach is also magnificent, both in Australia and in Canada. In the period 2001-2003, the Canadian team has won 52 medals.
Back to the beginning. Brian commenced his rowing at Prince Alfred College and then rowed for Torrens Rowing Club. His father Max also rowed for Torrens Rowing Club and was a member of the 1937 SA crew that won the King’s Cup in 1937. His father's rowing profile can be found at: Richardson, J Maxwell - Australian Rowing History (rowinghistory-aus.info).
When Torrens were unable to boat a senior eight, Brian moved to Adelaide University Boat Club where he could better continue his pursuit of King's Cup rowing. In 1974, Brian was transferred to Melbourne through his employment. He raced for South Australia for the last time in that year. The move brought the opportunity to race for Victoria and in 1979, after some thirteen attempts, Brian won his first King's Cup race. His persistence paid off and to his great credit, he successfully continued his love affair with that race both as a rower and as a coach for many years. His name is now synonymous with the great race.
1966 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship (SA) four seat - Third
1967 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship (SA) four seat - Third
1968 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship (SA) stroke - Fourth
1970 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship (SA) bow - Second
1971 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship (SA) seven seat - Second
1972 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship (SA) seven seat - Fourth
1973 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship (SA) stroke - Third
1974 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship (SA) stroke - Second
1974 - Australian Universities Championships, Men's Eight, stroke - First
1975 – World Championships – Men’s Eight six seat - Sixth
1975 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship (VIC) six seat - Third
1976 – Olympic Games – Men’s Eight bow – Fifth
1976 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship (VIC) stroke - Second
1977 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship (VIC) five seat - Third
1978 – World Championships – Men’s Coxless Four stroke - Ninth
1978 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship (VIC) stroke - Second
1979 – World Championships Men’s Eight stroke - Fourth
1979 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship (VIC) stroke – First
1980 – Olympic Games – Men’s Eight stroke – Fifth
1980 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship stroke (VIC) - First
1984 - Awarded Medal of the Order of Australian for services to yachting
1985 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship VIC coach – First
1986 – Commonwealth Games – Men’s Coxless Four coach – Fourth
1986 – Commonwealth Games – Men’s Coxless Pair coach – Fifth
1986 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship VIC coach - First
1987 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship VIC co-coach - First
1988 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship VIC co-coach – First
1989 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship coach – Race not conducted due to a cyclone.
1989 – Interstate Men’s Sculling Championship coach – Race not conducted due to a cyclone.
1989 – World Championships – Men’s Double Scull coach - Fourth
1989 – Interstate Men’s Eight Challenge coach – First
1990 – Interstate Men’s Sculling Championship coach - Second
1990 – World Championships – Men’s Double Scull coach – Bronze
1991 – Interstate Men’s Sculling Championship coach - First
1991 – World Championships – Men’s Single Scull coach – Fourth
1991 – World Championships – Men’s Quad Scull coach - Twelfth
1992 – Interstate Men’s Sculling Championship coach - Second
1992 – Olympic Games – Men’s Eight coach – Fifth
1993 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship VIC co-coach – First
1993 – Interstate Men’s Sculling Championship co-coach - Fourth
1993-1996 – Head coach Canada
1997 -2000 – Head coach Australia
1999 – World Championships – Men’s Eight coach – Seventh
2000 – Olympic Games – Men’s Eight coach – Silver
2000 - Awarded Australian Sports Medal for being a twice Olympian athlete, Olympic coach and Victorian Olympic Council Executive Committee member
2001-2004 – Head coach Canada – Teams won 65 medals at World Championships and Olympic Games
2005-2008 – AIS and National Men’s Head Coach
2005 – World Championships Men’s Coxed Pair coach – Gold
2005 – World Championships Men’s Quad Scull coach – Ninth
2006 – World Championships Men’s Eight coach – Fourth
2006 – World Championships Men’s Coxless Four coach – Fifteenth
2007 – World Championships Men’s Eight coach – Seventh
2007 – World Championships Men’s Coxless Four co-coach – Twelfth
2007 – World Championships Men’s Coxed Pair co-coach – Fourth
2007 – World Championships Men’s Coxless Four co-coach – Twelfth
2008 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship co-coach (NSW) – First
2008 – Olympic Games Men’s Eight coach - Sixth
2019-2024 - Senior A and Para Chairman of Selectors for Australia
2024 - Elected a Life Member of Rowing Australia
Between 1986-2008, Brian coached individual crews to 65 medals at World Championships and Olympic Games (7 gold, 4 silver 1 bronze).
Above: Brian receives the King's Cup in 1979, his first win after so many attempts and the relief is obvious
Above: Brian as stroke of the 1980 Olympic eight
Brian was also a member of Australia II crew which defeated the Americans for the America’s Cup in 1983.
Andrew Guerin 2010 (updated in July 2024 with some more details)
Sources:
- The author's own records including this website
- Conversation with Brian Richardson
- Conversation with Michael Eastaughffe