Meet your Coaches
At the foundation of this legacy are two cornerstone leaders: Head Coach Pat MacNally and Coach John Ruscitti. Together, they represent decades of elite coaching experience, having guided some of the most highly decorated high school rowing programs in North America, including a decades-long tenure leading E.L. Crossley Secondary School in Pelham, Ontario.
Their shared philosophy is rooted in long-term athlete development, combining technical precision with mental preparation, personal accountability, and the development of strong, resilient leaders both on and off the water.
Pat McNally – Head Coach
As Head Coach, Mr. MacNally has been a steady and deeply respected presence within the rowing community for decades. His unwavering commitment to athlete mentorship and team culture has helped build programs defined by trust, unity, accountability, and pride.
Throughout his tenure, he has guided championship crews, developed novice athletes into local, provincial, and national medalists, and fostered a team-first mindset that continues to define sustained success. His influence extends far beyond race results. He is known for teaching athletes how to handle pressure, embrace discipline, and commit to standards that elevate both individual performance and collective strength.
Coach MacNally believes in mastering fundamentals, respecting the process, and understanding that excellence is built stroke by stroke, season by season. Many former athletes credit him not only for their athletic achievements, but for instilling confidence, resilience, and leadership skills that carry into university, careers, and life beyond sport.
Coach – John Rucsitti
Coach Ruscitti has led crews to multiple championship titles and countless medal performances throughout his tenure. Known for his technical precision and strategic race preparation, his athletes consistently demonstrate strong boat speed, disciplined execution, and mental toughness under pressure.
Under his leadership, boats have reached provincial, national, and international finals. Stood on Henley podiums and built a reputation as one of the most competitive high school programs in North America. He has also held coaching leadership roles with Team Ontario and Rowing Canada.
A Full Circle Coaching Team
Assistant Coaches
What makes Niagara Community Rowing truly unique is not only its leadership, but the remarkable continuity of its full coaching team.
Many of the assistant coaches supporting NCR are former athletes who once sat in the very boats they now coach.
These coaches trained under Mr. MacNally and Mr. Ruscitti as young adults. They have experienced firsthand the standards and expectations that define rowing greatness. Today, they return not simply to give back, but to preserve and elevate that culture.
This multi-generational model ensures that traditions, standards, and values are not recreated each season, they are carried forward.
Coach Andrew Julie
Coach Aaron Pye
brings over a decade of rowing
experience, along with a deep passion for athlete development and leadership
both on and off the water.
Arden began rowing in high school, where she quickly found
success as both an athlete and a coach, working with younger rowers while
building her own competitive career. She went on to earn a Division I
scholarship to Eastern Michigan University, where she competed for two seasons
and was elected team captain each year by her peers, a testament to her
leadership and impact within the program. She later transferred to Brock
University, continuing her rowing career before transitioning to SCRC to
focus on coaching and her academic goals.
Throughout her career, Arden has competed at a high level
across North America and internationally. Her achievements include multiple
CSSRA gold medals, a silver medal performance at the Royal Henley Regatta, and
several podium finishes at major U.S. regattas, including the Knecht Cup and
Ford Lake Invitational. She has also been a consistent force provincially,
earning four consecutive Row Ontario Championship titles in the Women’s
8+.
Outside of rowing, Arden is pursuing a future in law and
youth advocacy, and enjoys running, reading, and music. As a coach, she is
committed to creating a positive, competitive, and safe environment for
athletes to grow, perform, and develop a lifelong love for the sport.
is a standout athlete, scholar, and mentor whose journey in rowing began at EL Crossley, where he transformed his life, losing 55 lbs and discovering a passion for the sport.
At Brock University, Keithan helped lead the program to five
consecutive OUA championships, earning nine OUA medals and four straight silver
finishes at the Canadian University Rowing Championships. A three-time Canadian
Henley champion, he also represented Canada internationally at the 2024 U23
World Championships and the 2025 FISU Games.
Academically, Keithan is a five-time Dean’s List honouree
and multiple scholarship recipient, reflecting his commitment both on and off
the water.
As a coach, he has psent the past five years developing athletes at E.L. Crossley and beyond, helping guide rowers to national podiums and junior national team selection.
brings a wealth of competitive experience, resilience, and passion for athlete development to the rowing community.
A proud E.L. Crossley alum , Sarah built an impressive high
school racing career, highlighted by multiple championship performances. She
captured CSSRA gold medals across three consecutive years, along with a
Stotesbury Cup gold and a Henley gold. Her consistency and versatility made her
a standout across both sweep and sculling disciplines.
Sarah continued her rowing career briefly at Western
University, winning Dad Vail gold in the Freshman 8+ before shifting her focus
to endurance sport, completing five full marathons, a testament to her
discipline and drive.
Her coaching roots run deep, having spent four summers with
SCRC developing Learn-to-Row athletes. She returned to coaching in 2024,
inspired by a new generation of rowers, and even stepped back into competition
herself on the masters circuit.
Outside of rowing, Sarah works full-time as an ICU nurse in
Welland, bringing the same care, leadership, and strength to her athletes as
she does to her profession.
Contact Us
Driving directions
108 Thorold Rd E, Welland ON L3C 7A6
To reach the Niagara Community Rowing (NCR) boathouse
– Turn Left – Once you reach the end of Thorold Rd E, turn left to drive parallel with the Welland Recreational Canal.
– Proceed with Caution – Drive slowly along this stretch. The roadway is narrow and shared with pedestrians, cyclists and oncoming vehicles.
– Locating NCR – Pass the Welland Community Boathouse and continue to the far side of the gravel parking lot, where the Niagara Community Rowing facilities are located.