St Benedict’s College is proud to announce that Darryn Roff, the school’s Head of Rowing, has been elected President of the South African Schools Rowing Union. This appointment marks another significant milestone in Roff’s distinguished career in rowing, which spans nearly three decades. Roff takes over from Mr Andre Oosthuysen who has been at the helm for an incredible 14 years.
Roff’s journey in rowing began in 1997 as a U14 rower at St Benedict’s College. His passion for the sport culminated in winning the First Eight at the South African Schools Rowing Union Championships in 2003. Following his time as a student-athlete, Roff has dedicated his career to developing rowing talent at various levels.
Commenting on his appointment, Roff says, “I’m honoured to take on this role and hope to contribute to developing school rowing throughout South Africa. By uniting the provinces, we’ll strengthen the sport and create more opportunities for young rowers. My goal is to break down barriers to participation and develop sustainable programmes for both rowing schools and junior clubs. If we remove obstacles for our youth, both within and outside of the school setting – SASRU can become a pivotal driver of transformation and development in South African rowing.”
His impressive leadership credentials include serving as Chairperson of the Gauteng Schools Rowing Federation for eight consecutive years (2018-2025) after two years as Vice Chairperson. Roff’s national coaching experience is equally notable, having been appointed as a National Rowing Coach for World Championships in 2011, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Most recently, Roff has served as both U19 Team Manager and National Coach for World Championships in 2022, 2023 and 2024, demonstrating his continued commitment to excellence in rowing at the highest levels.
Under Roff’s leadership, St Benedict’s College has maintained its position as South Africa’s top boys’ rowing school for an unprecedented 31 consecutive years, a testament to his coaching philosophy that emphasises hard work, scientific training methods, and unwavering dedication.
Dave Jeffrey, College Head at St Benedict’s, commented on Roff’s appointment: “Darryn’s election to this prestigious position reflects his exceptional contribution to rowing in South Africa. His expertise has been instrumental in our school’s rowing success, and we’re confident he’ll bring the same dedication and vision to his new role.”
About St Benedict’s College:
St Benedict’s College is a leading boys’ school in Johannesburg, recognised for academic excellence and sporting achievement. The school has maintained its position as South Africa’s top boys’ rowing school for 31 consecutive years, demonstrating an unparalleled legacy in the sport.
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