Trent University Welcomes New Excalibur Varsity Rowing Head Coach

It is back to the old stomping grounds for Trent rowing alumna Ugette Vanderpost as she becomes the new Trent Excalibur varsity rowing head coach announced on Friday.

Vanderpost has also graduated from Queen’s and Royal Roads University after graduating from Trent. Photo Courtesy of Trent University.

Vanderpost had graduated from the university in 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and English.

“We are excited to have Trent alumna, Ugette Vanderpost join the Excalibur team as the new head coach of our rowing program,” said Deborah Bright-Brundle, director of Trent Athletics and Recreation. “Joining Trent Athletics and the Peterborough Rowing Club, she will be a great mentor for our student-athletes and continue to advance for the sport of rowing for our community.”

Vanderpost was coach of the Peterborough Rowing Club and Trent Excalibur rowing program from 1998-2000. She remained involved with the Peterborough rowing programs for several years and has seen the transformation and growth of rowing in the community.

She returns to Trent bringing more than 20 years of teaching and coaching experience to her new role.

“I feel very honoured and humbled to join the legacy of Trent rowing,” said Vanderpost. “It’s very exciting to join it at this time in its history as a program. I did this role 20 years ago and I’m excited to be a part of all that it is now.” 

Vanderpost is joining the School of Education as an instructor during the 2021/22 academic year and says she hopes to continue promoting a welcoming and inclusive environment for student-athletes of all levels.

“For student-athletes who are trying the sport for the first time or they’re returning to rowing after being away from it for such a long time and waiting for it to come back, it’s a very social and collaborative sport,” she explained. “I’m really looking forward to creating an opportunity for them to return and have them excited.”

With Vanderpost being in the position before, her knowledge and understanding of what Trent and surrounding area has to provide for the student-athletes and community members according to the press rlease.

She wants to bring people back to sport, whether they are just beginner or experienced rowers.

“The thing about sport is that it can be really unifying and energizing, when there’s been a lot of uncertainty about going back to school, it’s nice to marry sport and school back together in a somewhat normal way.”

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