Row NS Hires Jenna Pelham as Technical Director

We are thrilled to announce that Jenna Pelham is the new Technical Director of Row Nova Scotia. This is a part-time position partially funded by Support4Sport, based on our current position in the Sport Development Tool administered by Sport Nova Scotia and the Canadian Sport Centre Atlantic. The Technical Director’s portfolio will revolve around three key pillars outlined by Sport Nova Scotia: Participation, Coaching and Officiating, and Excellence. We are confident that Jenna will have an extremely positive impact on the growth of rowing across the province and will help support and develop many initiatives to our collective benefit. 

Pelham notes: “I have always been extremely passionate about sport, teaching, and the province of Nova Scotia. I am excited to have the opportunity to contribute to the Row Nova Scotia community, working with the Board of Directors, Provincial Team coach, Administrative Coordinator, and all clubs to increase participation in rowing in Nova Scotia at all levels and in all areas.”

Pelham’s experiences in rowing are widespread. She began in the Novice Rowing Program at the University of Ottawa (U of O) in 2007, rowed at MicMac AAC (MMAAC) in the summer of 2008 and 2009, the Ottawa Rowing Club (ORC) from 2010 to 2015, the Victoria City Rowing Club (VCRC) in 2015/2016, and most recently, at the North Star Rowing Club (NSRC). Some of Pelham’s standout results as an athlete include: gold at OUAs, bronze at CURCs, four-time gold medallist at Canadian Henley, two-time gold medallist at the Head of the Charles, 6th at the World University Games, and 4th at the World Championships. But, her involvement in the sport has reached much further than competing as an athlete. She has also contributed deeply to the various rowing communities of which she has been a part: as a member of the ORC Executive; President of the U of Ottawa team; as coach for the Adult Rowing League and the Junior Women’s Programs at the Ottawa Rowing Club; in myriad volunteering roles at the ORC, VCRC, MMAAC, and NSRC; and as club manager and assistant coach at North Star Rowing Club. 

“I think that one of my greatest contributions in the sport thus far is as a mentor to the younger/newer athletes that I’ve had the chance to row alongside in the past number of years,” Pelham reflects. “It has been my passion to push my limits physically in sport for as long as I can remember, and for the last twelve years specifically in the sport of rowing. I have recently stepped away from the pursuit of high performance competition, but I am very excited to be taking a step laterally into the Technical Director position and to continue to grow in the sport in a new role. I hope to continue to share with others my love and passion for rowing for many years to come.”

Katie Edwards, President of Row Nova Scotia, is thrilled to have Pelham on board: “Jenna’s passion for rowing is plainly evident, every day. She has the ability to motivate all those around her, and that – coupled with her considerable knowledge of our sport – is a major asset to Row Nova Scotia, as we embark upon a new phase of growth and development.” Pelham’s early priorities will include the advancement of high school rowing; supporting the provincial team and coach; and on-boarding several new initiatives for the summer/fall rowing season.