Noel Casey

Noel outside Thames. Picture thanks to Steve Jones.

Thames RC was sorry to hear of the death of former member and coach Noel Casey, at the age of 90.

Irishman Noel began rowing at our neighbours Vesta RC in 1966, competing to a high level despite coming to the sport relatively late.

He remained a key presence on the Putney Embankment from the late 1970s onwards, coaching at both Thames and Vesta and consistently produced winning crews at the Women’s Eights Head, Henley Women’s Regatta and National Championships. He also coached a Thames 4+ to the 1981 World Championships, and was head women’s coach for Great Britain at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Noel made a brief return to the club in the early 2000s, joining the women’s squad on a training camp and encouraging the athletes to new levels of pain.

Noel was known for his tough training programmes, but also a sense of humour. Club members remember Noel with affection, remarking on his generosity and “heart of gold” behind the tough exterior he chose to present to the world. His huge impact on many Thames rowers, men and women, cannot be underestimated.

In the 1991 Thames Journal squad member Suzie Ellis wrote: “Noel Casey is our hero. His original approach and select use of vocabulary is relished by many and forgotten by few.”

Since 2019, Thames and Vesta’s women’s squads have raced for the Casey Cup in an annual match race from Mortlake to Putney, with the trophy named in Noel’s honour.

Noel will be remembered fondly by many Thames members from across the years as well as by the many athletes he coached at other clubs in both the UK and Ireland. Thames would like to send sympathy to his family at this sad time.