JUNEE High School's relieving principal Terry Vercoe is the latest life member of the NSW Combined High Schools (CHS) sports association.
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He was presented with the honour last week in recognition as the CHS rowing convener from 2004 to 2014.
"This sounds cliched, but you don't do it for the recognition, but it's to be recognised by your peers," Vercoe said.
He originally started coaching rowing in 2000 at the South Grafton High School, arriving there from Junee High in 1992.
Before rowing, he coached school hockey, squash and rugby in Junee and was hockey club president as well as coach at South Grafton.
Reflecting on 14 years involved with rowing, Vercoe revealed it all started from the sidelines when his daughter became a competitor.
"I was one of the spectators, and then I went out (on the water) with the coach ... one thing led to another," he said.
It lead to Vercoe leading rowers in their training on four mornings a week over nine years.
During his time as the CHS convener and coach, several students progressed to state, national and international competition - including students winning NSW All Schools, CHS and Australian Rowing Championships.
"You'll never win a race unless you're drilling the technique, once you've got the perfect stroke, all you have to do is repeat it," he said.
It's a tough sport with rowers using every single muscle to propel the boat across the water.
However, it's not just about knowing how to use the oars and Vercoe said there was a need for teamwork between rowers and significant stamina - both mental and physical which needed to be built.
"The more you practise the technique, the more you'd build physical stamina which helps when you come to power rowing," he said.
"It takes a few years to be able to be seriously competitive.
"That's the thing with CHS rowing, it's not just about providing an opportunity for competitive rowing, but also for the recreational rower to compete at their level," Vercoe said.
While rowing isn't particularly popular in Junee, as a life member Vercoe will be continuing to assist the CHS rowing convener in 2015 and other CHS events.