A school in Marlow has begun the difficult of task of finding a replacement to fill the boots of its highly successful head of rowing.

Robin Dowell, director of rowing at Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School, has been appointed as lead coach for GB Rowing’s junior squad.

Mr Dowell has overseen an unprecedented period of success for the West Street school, leading the Borlase team to victory in the Fawley Challenge Cup at the Henley Regatta in two of the last three years.

As Director of Borlase rowing, he has developed an internationally recognised rowing program for nearly 150 rowers.

He has also already been working as part of the GB coaching team, taking the GB Junior Mens Quadruple Scull to silver medal position at the 2014 Junior World Championships in Hamburg, Germany.

Headmaster Dr Peter Holding, said: “Robin will leave a very large hole for the school to fill. He has been an exceptionally successful Director of Rowing for us, not only taking our students to success at elite domestic events such as Henley, but also inspiring many of them to develop as international rowers.

“He has been a real leader on the river, but he has also understood the importance of providing pastoral support to many of the rowers.

“He understands that school rowers need to balance a huge number of pressures, and his work has helped many of them to develop skills that are important far beyond their rowing.

“I am sure he will continue to make an outstanding contribution to GB rowing in his new role with GB juniors. He will already be working with several of our current and recent students, and we hope to send him many more in the future.”

Dr Holding – who wants to make Borlase the best state school boat squad in the country - said the team are now working to identify the next “exceptional” coach for the school.

Mr Dowell has overseen a rich period of history for Borlase’s rowing team during the last three years.

During his tenure, he has also acted as the team manager and coach for junior Team GB Rowing squads at the Youth Olympic Games, Nanjing,China, where he coached Borlase Sixth Former Chris Lawrie.