Meet the Team
Ian Wilson
Ian learnt rowing in Nottingham and was a Leander member, he has at some time rowed at; Leander, University of London, Thames Tradesmen, Sydney, Whakatane then back to NRC and NCRA.
Having been instrumental in forming Nottinghamshire County Rowing Association in the 1980s and reviving it in 2016, Ian is Chairman of the club and remains passionate about rowing locally, nationally and internationally.
Ian has rowed at 10 World Championships, winning a Gold medal in 1979, a Silver medal in 1983, a bronze medal in 1984, and representing Scotland at the 1986 Commonwealth Games. He rowed in 12 Henley Royal Regatta finals, winning 7. One of the losses was to Jeff; apparently it still hurts!
He dedicates much of his time to mentoring athletes and coaches to get the most from themselves and he is selfless in his determination and commitment to the sport.
Ian is respected around the world for his achievements in rowing, coaching and business (he is the founder of WattBike), and is particularly passionate about retaining lightweight rowing at all levels of competition.
Gaining the British Rowing Medal of Merit in 2025, Ian was duly recognised.
Jeff Hunt
After learning to row at Weybridge RC and Strodes’ College where he was a GB Junior International, Jeff moved to Molesey BC where he had most success including winning the Wyfold’s in 1985.
In 2019 he was asked to help the Novices at Manchester University, where his coaching journey began. Jeff moved to Shrewsbury School in 2020, coaching the second eight as well as short stint with the Novices at Birmingham University. Following an around the world trip in 2022, visiting many rowing clubs in Australia and New Zealand, he returned to the UK and began coaching at NCRA in 2023, becoming Head Coach in 2024.
Jeff is currently working towards British Rowing’s Level 4 Coaching Award having completed L3 in 2022 and is currently the British Rowing East Midlands representative.
Martin Kay
A true stalwart, Martin learnt to row in 1964 whilst at University, he subsequently moved to Freemantle RC, Australia and returned to Marlow RC in 1975.
Martin has proven coaching success, particularly with junior athletes, leading many into the GB team whilst at Marlow 1975 to 1995 and subsequently Leander Club until 2003.
After a move to Nottingham he coached at the University in 2007 and NRC from 2008 to 2016, achieving notable success with numerous wins at National Schools, Henley Women’s and British Champs from 2012 to 2016.
When NCRA reformed, Martin became a key player leading the juniors to further and continued success.
A well-known figure on the bank, Martin is always available for a chat and has many rowing stories to while away the hours.
Martin has an ARA Instructors Bronze Award achieved in 1994.
Hellen Jarvis
Hellen started rowing at St. Catherine’s College, Oxford. On starting work, she joined the Civil Service Ladies RC before moving to Sefton RC. Whilst at Sefton she notably coached a blind crew where every instruction had to be clear to produce the intended outcome.
After gaining a place on the GB Women’s Development Programme, Hellen moved to Nottingham in 1994 and joined NURC, winning the National Championships in a composite quad in a record time which stood for 22 years. Then followed gold in Lwt 2x and a bronze in Hwt 1x. In 1999 Hellen sat at bow in an NCRA VIII which finished 9th in the WHORR, before winning the Senior 1 pennant at the Sculler’s Head in her last competitive race.
In 2000 Hellen coached the junior squad at Loughborough Boat Club. In 2005, she took a break and coached swimming, she then returned to NCRA after 20 years to help nurture developing young athletes.
Helen holds the British Rowing Level 2 Coach award.
Paul Stevens
Paul took up rowing at St. Ives Rowing Club aged 15. After completing his junior years he moved to Nottingham to study in 1991. He rowed for Nottingham University for 3 years, including being men’s captain and reached a semi-final at Henley.
After graduating Paul stayed in Nottingham and has rowed as a senior and then masters rower at the city’s clubs ever since. Highlights included a Home Countries appearance, a Jackson Trophy win, World Masters races and two trips competing at the Head of the Charles.
Paul has been coaching juniors for 22 years, initially at NSRA / Nottingham Rowing Club, then helping Nottingham and Union establish and run their junior program for over 10 years. Paul has been the chairman of Nottingham Schools Rowing Association, Junior Representative on the East Midlands Regional Rowing Council, on the committee of Nottingham Boat Club, and been the Nottingham and Union treasurer for 14 years.
Joining NCRA as a coach in 2025, Paul has made an immediate impact, coaching the successful J16 squad amongst others. Guided by Paul, we look forward to seeing the clubs continued success at national level into 2026 and beyond.
Paul is currently finishing his British Rowing Level 2 Club Coach award.
Martin Hubbard
After a 45 year career in architecture, Martin attended a six week L2R course at Derby RC in 2018.
From then to now, Martin has energetically pursued what became, and remains his passions of rowing and coaching.
Martin moved to Derwent RC, where he still rows, and arrived at NCRA in February 2025 where he now leads our Junior Development Squad.
Martin is a British Rowing Level 2 Coach and is planning Level 3 when the course becomes available, he is also a supervisor at a local gym and is studying for qualifications in S&C.
Tim Webber
Tim learnt to row at Marlow Rowing Club, with whom he became a Junior National and National Schools Champion and Sculling on the GB Junior and U23 teams, Tim won several international medals as well as British National Championships.
Whilst most of his training was with The Tideway Scullers School in London, Tim finished his own rowing career with Notts County Rowing Association and returned as a coach in 2025.
Tim has coached students and Juniors for years and works with teenagers as an Orthodontist. An enthusiastic scientist, Tim likes to implement what modern sports science can teach us about high performance rowing.
Priya Jenkins
Jim McNabb
Jim is new to coaching but is a very active rowing parent, with a daughter at the club.
Over a short period of time Jim has made a huge contribution to NCRA, assisting with safety, race timing and coordination.
Jim is about to undertake the British Rowing Coach Assistant award.