"The aim is to encourage rowers who are recent school leavers and those in transition to tertiary education to start coaching and continue their involvement in rowing," Otago Rowing manager Sonya Walker said.
Part of the trainee coaches' role is to provide additional coaching for crews in schools that lack the expertise from the teaching staff.
The scheme is sponsored by Meridian Energy and the coaches get financial support and clothing. The seven trainee coaches attended last weekend's Otago championships at Lake Ruataniwha with their crews.
The convener of the coaching programme is Sergio Salis, who produced national champions when he coached crews from Queens High School and the University of Otago.
Coaches on the scholarships are Alex Gibb (Columba College), Natalie Jacobs (Queens High School), Geoffrey Morris (Otago Boys), Henry Easton (Otago Boys), Matthew McGovern (Columba College), Jessica Jones (Otago Girls) and Andrew Mackintosh (St Hildas).
