NZ Coach Mike Rodger: From Silver to Olympic Gold Medals

A casual favor for Olympic legend Rob Waddell in 2008 pulled retired rower Mike Rodger back into coaching, launching one of New Zealand's most successful careers on the water.

Mike won silver at the 1994 World Rowing Championships and competed at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics before hanging up his oars. After coaching school crews for a few years, he stepped away in 2000 to focus on family and his business, thinking his coaching days were done.

Eight years later, Waddell asked for occasional help preparing for the Beijing Olympics. What started as a casual arrangement quickly became serious—and reignited Mike's passion for the sport.

"I really enjoyed it, so I blame him for getting me fully immersed in the sport again," Mike said.

That comeback decision has paid off spectacularly. Since 2008, Mike has guided New Zealand crews to four Olympic medals, seven World Championship medals, and more than 20 World Cup medals.

One partnership stands out. When Emma Twigg returned to rowing in 2018 after retiring, she asked Mike to coach her. Together they created one of New Zealand rowing's greatest success stories—Olympic gold in Tokyo and silver in Paris.

Mike particularly enjoys coaching multiple boat classes at different speeds. "You couldn't become complacent," he explains. "You had to keep thinking and adjusting."

The Ripple Effect

While Olympic medals shine brightest, Mike finds equal reward in long-term development. Ben Taylor and Oli Welch's journey exemplifies his patient approach—he worked with them from day one as juniors until they claimed the 2025 world title in the men's pair.

"When you get young athletes coming through and developing to where they are and then becoming world champions, that's probably what we all aspire to," Mike said.

His coaching philosophy extends beyond the water. "We all want to win medals, but at the end of the day it's also about helping people become the best athletes, rowers and human beings they can be," he said.

Mike credits coaches from his own rowing career—particularly Harry Mahon and Sam Le Compte—for shaping how he approaches developing athletes. The lesson he emphasizes most? Patience.

"We all start coaching thinking we can change the world, but actually it takes time to learn your trade," he said.

As New Zealand enters a new Olympic cycle with young talent flooding the program, Mike remains energized by the opportunity to help the next generation reach their potential—one patient stroke at a time.