Former Australian Paralympic rowing coach jumps on board with Radford College

Champion family: Megan, Claudia, Gordon and Eddie Marcks. Photo: Supplied.

Leaving his position as head coach of Australia’s Paralympic rowing team was a tough call to make for Gordon Marcks.

One of Canberra’s top rowing schools with a national profile, Radford College, wanted Gordon to take on its head of rowing role. And there were many points to consider.

One was timing. Gordon was in the middle of a four-year Paralympic campaign to which he was fully committed.

High-performance manager: Gordon Marcks. Photo: Supplied.

“It was a difficult decision,” Gordon says. “In the end, it came down to family and a desire to be closer to home.

“The proximity of the 2024 Paris Paralympics was one thing, but these opportunities don’t come up all that often. When the opportunity arose it was something I was really interested in.”

The approach from Radford was understandable given Gordon’s outstanding record as Rowing Australia’s Paralympic head coach for the past 10 years. Before that role, he was head coach of the ACT Academy of Sport program for 11 years.

With a focus on wellbeing, safety, personal growth and ability, Gordon has proven he can extract the best from his athletes.

At Radford, he takes over a school rowing program among the top tier in the country.

Radford College quad scull in 2021. Photo: Supplied.

“The school is investing a lot of resources into rowing,” Gordon says.

“It’s a high-functioning program, the legacy of previous coaches and rowing masters. It’s a great program.”

And he’s been floored by Radford’s response to his move there.

“I have been made to feel incredibly welcome by everybody; the students, the parents, staff and the rowing community.”

Managing a high-performance program doesn’t stop when Gordon’s away from rowing.

He and his wife, Olympic rowing gold medallist Megan Marcks (nee Still), are helping guide their 18-year-old daughter Claudia and 15-year-old son Eddie into elite sport. Both are on cycling scholarships at the ACT Academy of Sport.

There is little time away from sport, but I suspect Gordon wouldn’t have it any other way.