From the CEO
September was another busy month for Rowing Australia as preparations continued for the next domestic season and a number of administration changes were afoot in both the NRCE and Rowing Australia offices.
We also welcomed back our Senior A crews from the 2009 FISA World Rowing Championships in Poland where are crews claimed two silver medals and a bronze. The regatta provided mixed fortunes for our crews with one of the highlights coming in the men’s quad scull when the Australian crew pushed the world and Olympic champions from Poland all the way to the line to win silver behind the home crew.
The majority of these athletes enjoyed a well earned break in various locations around Europe and now will be back in training in preparation for the new season.
Matt Draper commenced his new role as National Development and Events Director at Rowing Australia in the first week of October and Matt’s expertise in this area will be greatly beneficial. Meanwhile Naomi Wagstaff will start as the Elite Development Coordinator at the NRCE next week.
In commercial news RA has appointed Stage & Screen as Australian rowing’s travel management company. Stage & Screen will provide an inclusive travel service for RA and all State and Territory rowing Associations as well as offering all rowing members the opportunity to access preferential rowing rates in booking their leisure or rowing related travel. All travel booked under this arrangement will result in a financial return to RA which will be returned to the development of the sport. Implementation details of this arrangement are being finalised and it is anticipated that this travel service will be available to all members of the rowing community within 6 weeks. This is a particularly positive and exciting step and will allow RA to provide additional benefits to its members as well as ensuring the ongoing development and success of Australian rowing. Additionally, Rowing Australia has appointed Flight Centre Group Travel as the provider of all Supporters Group Tours, more information about the details of these tours will be made available in the near future.
At the end of September RA held a forum which was attended by all State Development Officers and NTID Program Managers. NTID and RA branded trailers have been supplied to all States, with each trailer holding testing equipment designed to find our next rowing champion. Additionally, RA has revised and enhanced the Level 1 Presenters Kit which will shortly be distributed to all State Associations. This will result in a quality and consistent coaching experience for all Level 1 and aspiring coaches throughout the country.
In another exciting initiative, RA is working with FISA and the AOC to provide rowing boats to the Pacific nation of Vanuatu. 12 boats have so far been donated and are being held in Sydney ahead of transportation to our Pacific neighbours.
The World Masters Games commence this Saturday in Sydney, with the rowing regatta running from Saturday 10 to Wednesday 14 October. Some 2500 people will compete in the regatta, making it the largest regatta ever held at SIRC, in Australia and also World Masters Games history.
I wish all of the Australian and international competitors the best of luck at the regatta and I am sure it will be a great success.
Andrew Dee
CEO Rowing Australia |
