Former Olympic rowing, Geelong College and Geelong Grammar rowing coach on child sex charges

A former Olympic and elite private school rowing coach has been charged with a string of child sex offences across Geelong.

Andrew Cleary is facing a series of historic child sex offences. Picture: Mike Dugdale

A former Olympic rowing and private school sports coach has been charged with a string of child sex offences across Geelong.

Andrew James Cleary, a former Geelong College, Geelong Grammar and Rowing Australia mentor, will front the Geelong Magistrates Court next month facing charges relating to 10 historical offences alleged to have occurred across a two-year period.

Mr Cleary, 66, is accused of seven counts of sexual penetration of a 17-year-old child while under his authority as a sports coach in separate incidents across different locations throughout Victoria.

He has also been charged with two counts of sexual penetration of a 16-year-old child in Belmont while a sports coach, and at an unknown location.

Police will allege he attempted the same crime on a 16 or 17 year-old in North Geelong.

Cleary is a former rowing coach at the Geelong College.

Andrew Cleary will front a Geelong court next month. Picture: Peter Ristevski

He was the boys 3rd VIII coach from 1995-98 and the girls 2nd VIII for eight years from 2001-2008.

He returned as the boys 1st VIII coach in 2015-2021 and was an informal mentor to its senior rowing coaches in an advisory capacity from 2021-2024.

Geelong College issued a letter to its community members on Wednesday informing them of the “allegations and criminal charges laid” against the former staffer, who was described as an “active member of our College community.”

“It is important to note the allegations do not relate to Mr Cleary’s conduct here at the College,” the letter stated.

It’s understood Mr Cleary took up a similar role coaching boys at the Geelong Grammar in 2022 before stepping down.

Andrew Cleary has been charged with sexual offences in Geelong.

Cleary – the former owner of North Geelong business JB Scott Farm Machinery and Agricultural Equipment – has mentored several Olympic rowers including ex-Geelong College students and Barwon Rowing Club members.

His daughter is also a former Olympic rower who competed at the Rio games in 2016.

Mr Cleary, who attended court wearing a dark suit for a brief mention on Tuesday, will appear in a Geelong court on April 8.

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Originally published as Former Olympic rowing, Geelong College and Geelong Grammar rowing coach on child sex charges