Top school rowing coach, 56, who used to teach at prestigious $30,000 Geelong College is charged with raping a former student
- Simon Rich Harrison, 56, has been charged with nine historical sex offences
- Harrison was rowing coach at five elite private schools in Melbourne
- Charges relate to an alleged offence at Geelong College in 1991
A rowing coach who taught at a series of private schools across Victoria has been charged with raping a student.
Simon Rich Harrison, 56, is facing nine historical child sex offences over his four decade career as a rowing coach in Melbourne.
The Victorian Institute of Teaching temporarily suspended his teaching registration last week, as he faces criminal charges at the Melbourne Magistrate's Court.
A rowing coach who taught at a series of private schools across Victoria has been charged with raping a student (stock image)
Harrison is accused of rape, sexual penetration of a child and indecent assault, reported the Herald Sun.
He's also facing charges of sexual offences of a child under is care, supervision or authority.
The charges are allegedly linked to offences committed at Geelong College in 1991, where Harrison was Director of Rowing from 1991 to 1992.
A spokesperson for Geelong College told Daily Mail Australia they were not able to comment as the matter is before the courts.
Harrison has been heavily involved in the rowing community throughout his life, working as a coach for the sport from the 80s until the 2000s.
The charges are allegedly linked to offences at the Geelong College in 1991, where Harrison was Director of Rowing from 1991 to 1992
After his stint at Geelong College he worked for a number of other elite schools including Melbourne Girls' Grammar from 2002 to 2004 and Fintona Girls' School from 2005 to 2010.
He also worked at Caulfield Grammar for seven years in the 1980s.
His most recent employment was with Xavier College as coach and Director of Rowing from 2010 to 2017.
Charges were laid after an investigation by the Geelong Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team.
Harrison will face the Melbourne Magistrate's Court for a committal mention on August 21.
