Harry Mahon

Harold Thomas Mahon (15 January 1942 – 19 May 2001) was a New Zealand rowing coach. He coached international crews from New Zealand, Switzerland, South Africa and Great Britain to success at World Championships and Olympic Games. He also coached Cambridge University to repeated successes in The Boat Race.

Background Mahon was born in Wanganui in 1942. He followed his grandfather and uncle into rowing, joining Wanganui Rowing Club. He also played cricket and rugby as a hooker, and toyed with becoming a rugby coach after studying geography at Victoria University. He rowed with some success in New Zealand, but was not an international oarsman. He married Rita Wood, although they separated in 1986.

After graduating, he began teaching at Melville High School, and joined Waikato Rowing Club.

Honours In the 1984 New Year Honours, Mahon was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, for services to rowing.

At the 1982 Halberg Awards, the New Zealand eight coached by Mahon was crowned "Sportsman of the Year". The 1982 team was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame in 1995.

Mahon was named the New Zealander of the Year in Britain in 2001.

Coaching titles 1977 NZ 4- Silver Medal World Championships 1982–1983 NZ 8+ Gold Medal World Championships 1982 NZ W1x Bronze Medal World Championships 1986 NZ 4+ Silver medal World Championships 1988 Olympics – Swiss 2X Silver Medal, NZ W2- Bronze Medal 1997 GB 1X Bronze Medal World Championships 2000 Olympics GB 8+ Gold Medal, NZ 1X Gold Medal 1993–1999 & 2001 Boat Races (Cambridge)