April 2007
Wednesday 25 April
Rowing Australia Team Handbook and accompanying forms — now available
The Rowing Australia Handbook provides athletes, coaches and supporters with policy, guidelines and general information that is relevant to members of the Australian Rowing Team. It should be your first stop for any question relating to team management and policies.
Visit the new webpage — Administration forms — for full details.
back to top
Tuesday 24 April
Rowing Australia media releases regarding the selection of the 2007 National Rowing Teams
- South Australian’s set sights on Munich
- Australian lightweights ready to perform
- Victorians dominate Australian men’s squad
- Cook sets her sights on gold
- Savage chosen in first Australian team
- Australia aim to remain world’s best
— Click here — to read the full releases.
back to top
Tuesday 24 April
2007 National Rowing Teams — selections announced
Rowing Australia congratulates the athletes and coaches selected into the 2007 National rowing teams. The strong list of rowers in each team should look forward to an exciting international season.
— Click here — for the team list (
183kb)
Friday 20 April
The Champion Lakes Rowing course, WA — the buoys are in the lake!
Below is the latest photo of The Champion Lakes Rowing course, WA with the new Albano System in place. Things are moving rapidly — with the bridges to the island now completed, roadways constructed, and roll-on lawn being laid on the island, the site will look great for the inaugural Champion Lakes regatta on 29 April 2007.
back to top
Wednesday 18 April
Australian rowers smash world record
A composite crew consisting of Kate Hornsey (TAS), Robyn Selby Smith (VIC), Sally Kehoe (QLD) and Sarah Heard (VIC) has gone under the world record time in the Women’s Coxless Four at the Australian Selection Trials in Penrith.
Current world champions Hornsey and Selby Smith were joined by their AIS counterparts Heard and Kehoe to finish in a time of 6:24.37. The old mark stood at 6:25.35.
The result is an unofficial world record, as it took place during trials, but is still an incredible achievement.
Kehoe has had an impressive selection regatta so far and said that the crew worked really well as a unit.
“There were perfect conditions out on the water so we had a feeling we could record a good time,” Kehoe said. “Often when we mix boats around to find the best combination, results like this happen as everyone is pushing to be part of the squad.”
Selby Smith said it would provide all the girls with confidence going into the international season.
“It is a good race to have under our belts,” Selby Smith said. “Heardy (Sarah Heard) and I had the goal of making the 8 and this is an added bonus along the way.”
Lyall McCarthy, head coach of the Australian women’s squad, said the crew executed the race perfectly.
“The course has been fast all week and all the girls have been rowing really well,” McCarthy said. “They rowed a strong back half of the race and the result is proof of their hard work.”
The women’s squad for the international season will be named on Monday 23 April. The 2007 World Championships which are being held in Munich in August offer nations the opportunity to qualify boats for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Media Contact
David Polglase
Rowing Australia
Mobile: 0401 453 041
back to top
Wednesday 18 April
Australian Strength and Conditioning Association — National Conference and Trade Show
The ASCA is holding its annual National Conference and Trade Show from 16 to 18 November 2007. This year's conference is being held at the Holiday Inn Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast. With confirmed international guest speaker, Allen Hedrick, this year's conference is anticipated to be the best ever held.
Keep updated via the ASCA website.
back to top
Tuesday 17 April
2007 April Selection Regatta and Trials — information for triallists and coaches
The National selectors provide the following list in regards the progression of National selections after the National Selection Regatta. The file contains the athletes who have been invited to the Selection Trials and those who have not.
— Click here — (
30kb)
back to top
Monday 16 April
Initial crews earmarked for Australian team
2006 World Champions Duncan Free (QLD) and Drew Ginn (VIC) are one step closer to defending their world title in the Men’s Pair after receiving early recommendation by the selectors.
Having won the Men’s Pair event at the Australian Rowing Championships in March, the duo combined to claim the race at the Selection Trials last Saturday.
They have been nominated for selection along with both the Men’s and Women’s Lightweight Double crews of Sam Beltz (TAS) and Tom Gibson (TAS), and Amber Halliday (SA) and Marguerite Houston (SA).
Dominic Monypenny (TAS) has also been pre selected for the Adaptive Men’s Single Scull while Kathryn Ross (VIC) and John McLean (NSW) will partner each other in the Adaptive Double Scull.
The selectors will now focus their attention on other athletes vying for places on the Australian team. The selectors will then finalise their selections for each squad before the Rowing Australia board endorses their recommendations and announces the team on Monday 23 April.
Media Contact
David Polglase
Rowing Australia
Mobile: 0401 453 041
back to top
Monday 16 April
Rowers shine again as selection looms closer
Sunday marked the final day of racing at the Australian Selection Trials. Rowers will now begin a seat rotation system in order to find the best combinations ahead of the team being named on Monday 23 April.
In the Women’s Double Scull, Pippa Savage (QLD) and Kerry Hore (TAS) won comfortably from Amber Bradley (WA) and Catriona Sens (VIC) in a time of 6:57.51.
David Crawshay (VIC) and Chris Morgan (SA) combined well in the Men’s Double Scull to win in a time of 6:23.75 from the West Australian combination of James Gatti and David Kelly.
Sally Kehoe (QLD), Kate Hornsey (TAS), Sarah Cook (ACT) and Kim Crow (VIC) comfortably won the Women’s Coxless Four in a time of 6.38.83. James Marburg (VIC), Cameron McKenzie – McHarg (VIC), Sam Conrad (QLD) and James Tomkins (VIC) won the equivalent event for men in 6:03.34.
South Australians Amber Halliday and Marguerite Houston won the Women’s Lightweight Double Scull to gain early recommendation for selection while the Tasmanian crew of Sam Beltz and Tom Gibson also were nominated for selection after winning the Men’s Lightweight Double Scull.
Media Contact
David Polglase
Rowing Australia
Mobile: 0401 453 041
back to top
Monday 16 April
Queensland Indoor Rowing Championship — open to everyone to compete
The Queensland Indoor Rowing Championships are being hosted by Rowing Queensland & Surf Lifesaving Queensland. The event will be held on Saturday 21 April at Brisbane State High School P Block.
There are plenty of great prizes to be won including a brand new ergo!
For more details and entry forms check out the Rowing Queensland website — www.rowingqld.asn.au
Entries for the event have been extended until COB 18th April 2007. Entries can also be made via ROMS (only for affiliated members of rowing clubs).
back to top
Saturday 14 April
Boilover with Australian champions upset in pair
Sally Kehoe (QLD) and Kate Hornsey (TAS) produced a great race to topple the Australian Champions, Kim Crow (VIC) and Sarah Cook (ACT), the final of the Women’s Pair at the Australian Selection Trials.
Kehoe and Hornsey crossed the line in a time of 7:12.08 to win by a boat from Cook and Crow with the Victorian pair of Robyn Selby Smith and Sarah Heard coming home in 3rd.
Hornsey said it was a great relief to cross the line in 1st.
“It’s a great feeling but more of a relief than anything,” said Hornsey. “It sets up the rest of the week really well now.”
Kehoe was equally happy with the race and said that it fell into place exactly as planned.
“The race went to plan and we executed the 2000m really well,” Kehoe said. “We have worked extremely hard since nationals with the goal of winning this event and to pull out this performance makes it all worthwhile.”
West Australians Sally Robbins and Joanna Lutz finished in 5th place.
In the Women’s Lightweight Single Scull South Australian’s Amber Halliday and Marguerite Houston fought all the way to the finish before Halliday won by just over a second in a time of 7:50.67. The two will combine in the Lightweight Double Scull on Sunday to stake their claim for selection in the Australian team.
Media Contact
David Polglase
Rowing Australia
Mobile: 0401 453 041
back to top
Saturday 14 April
World Champions close in on selection
Duncan Free (QLD) and Drew Ginn (VIC) have all but booked their seat at the 2007 World Championships after claiming the final of the Men’s Pair at the Australian Selection Trials.
Free and Ginn, who won in a time of 6:32.76, held off the challenge from James Tomkins (VIC) and Sam Conrad (QLD) to win by half a boat, with Victorians James Marburg and Cameron McKenzie – McHarg finishing in 3rd.
Ginn said that he and Free were improving with every performance.
“We seem to have a strung a few good performances together now,” Ginn said. “There was a good fight on between the two boats behind us so our plan was to get some clear water.”
Ginn went on to compliment the performance of Tomkins and Conrad.
“James still thinks he is the fittest 41 year old going around.”
Tasmania’s Sam Beltz continued on from his strong results at the Australian Rowing Championships by claiming the final of the Men’s Lightweight Single Scull in an impressive time of 7:04.18. He won ahead of fellow Tasmanian Tom Gibson and West Australian Todd Skipworth.
Media Contact
David Polglase
Rowing Australia
Mobile: 0401 453 041
back to top
Saturday 14 April
Australia’s best perform on cue
Queensland’s Pippa Savage lived up to her billing today as she took out the Women’s Single Scull at the Australian Selection Trials at the Sydney International Regatta Centre, Penrith.
Under perfect conditions at the Olympic course, Savage completed the race in a time of 7:32.08 Savage beat home Tasmania’s Kerry Hore and Western Australia’s Amber Bradley by two boat lengths.
The win underlines Savage’s bid to make the Senior A Australian team for the first time and is another stepping stone in her impressive season to date.
With the selection process involving the scullers being ranked after the conclusion of the Single Scull, Savage will now team up with Hore to compete in the Women’s Double Scull. The duo will be looking to form a successful partnership once again after claiming gold together at the Australian Rowing Championships in March.
“There will be some great combinations in the Double but Kerry and I have formed a pretty good partnership so far,” said Savage. “It is a relief to get the Single out of the way but I am looking forward to the rest of the week now.”
David Crawshay (VIC) underlined his status as Australia’s foremost men’s sculler after claiming the final by two boat lengths from South Australia’s Chris Morgan. David Kelly (WA) claimed 3rd in a blanket finish with three other rowers.
Media Contact
David Polglase
Rowing Australia
Mobile: 0401 453 041
back to top
Friday 13 April
Men’s Pair favourites cruise into semis
2006 World Champions Duncan Free (QLD) and Drew Ginn (VIC) cruised into the semi finals of the Men’s Pair at the Australian Selection Trials.
Ginn and Free will be joined by Sam Conrad (QLD) and James Tomkins (VIC) who also impressed in the morning session.
The two crews will face off against each other in the semi finals this afternoon.
In the Women’s Pair, Sarah Cook (ACT) and Kim Crow (VIC) showed their class by finishing a couple of bat lengths clear of their nearest rivals. They will be joined by Sally Kehoe (QLD) and Kate Hornsey (TAS), and Natalie Bale (WA) and Vicky Roberts (ACT) in the semi finals.
Victorians’ Robyn Selby Smith and Sarah Heard, who claimed Silver at the Australian Rowing Championships, caught a crab 300 metres from the finish but did enough to qualify for the semi finals.
Media Contact
David Polglase
Rowing Australia
Mobile: 0401 453 041
back to top
Friday 13 April
National champions face stiff competition
Kim Crow (VIC) and Sarah Cook (ACT), the newly crowned Australian champions in the Women’s Pair, won their semi final this afternoon at the Australian Selection Trials at Penrith.
Crow and Cook, who finished in a time of 7.23.41, will face a battle to win the final, however, with Sally Kehoe (QLD) and Kate Hornsey (TAS) setting the fastest time after winning the second semi final. They clocked a time of 7.23.24.
Cook said the final tomorrow will present a tough challenge.
“All the pairs are racing really well at the moment,” Cook said. “We will be confident going into the race so hopefully we can put together a good race.”
The West Australian duo of Sally Robbins and Joanna Lutz also made the final after finishing 3rd in their semi final. Natalie Bale (WA) and Victoria Roberts (NSW) will also challenge for the title.
In the Men’s Pair world champions Duncan Free and Drew Ginn cruised into the final after winning their semi final with a time of 6:35.28. All eyes will be on James Tomkins (VIC) and Sam Conrad (QLD) who will be looking to improve on their 4th place finish at the national championships in March.
The finals of the pairs will be held tomorrow starting at 9.20am.
Media Contact
David Polglase
Rowing Australia
Mobile: 0401 453 041
back to top
Friday 13 April
Perfect conditions greet selection trials
The Australian Selection Trials began this morning at the Sydney International Regatta Centre, Penrith.
Under perfect conditions the Men’s and Women’s Single Scull heats went as planned with all the favourites making it through to the semi finals.
Queensland’s Pippa Savage continued her impressive recent form by winning her heat, with Kerry Hore (TAS) and Amber Bradley (WA) claiming the other two heats. Hore posted the quickest time, completing the course in 7.44.00.
2007 Australian Champion David Crawshay comfortably won his heat in the corresponding men’s event with a time of 7:02.59.
Heats for the small boats will continue throughout the morning before the semi finals are held this afternoon.
Media Contact
David Polglase
Rowing Australia
Mobile: 0401 453 041
back to top
Tuesday 10 April
Queensland Adaptive Rowing Season Launch
The following article was published on the Sportsnut website.
The Dragons Rowing Club hosted the launch of the adaptive season at a breakfast held on Friday March 30 at Bretts Wharf. Australia’s leading adaptive rower, dual world champion Dominic Monypenny was the guest speaker at the breakfast and stayed on over the weekend to assist with the learn to row sessions for adaptive athletes which were very well supported. Stalwart of Dragons and coordinator of the adaptive program Sue Wallace has done a fantastic job and was recognised for her efforts by winning the club administrator of the year at the Rowing Queensland awards night held on March 25.
To read further please log onto sportsnut.com.au.
back to top
Wednesday 4 April
Rowing Australia statement on drug testing of schoolboy rowers
Rowing Australia (RA) has been informed of two drug testing missions undertaken by Australian Sports Anti Doping Authority (ASADA) at two N.S.W school regattas on the 17th and 31st March 2007.
Rowing Australia accepts ASADA has jurisdiction to test at these regattas.
Rowing Australia CEO Andrew Dee says RA supports the role of ASADA in Australian sport.
“ASADA has the power to test athletes who are members of Rowing Australia through its state associations.” Dee said. “It’s important we educate our rowers about the dangers of prohibited substances. We will continue to work with school age athletes, their parents, schools and ASADA to ensure the correct procedures are followed and that all parties are aware and understand their obligations.”
Mr Dee says RA appreciates the concerns expressed by the school principals in exercising their duty of care toward their students.
“I’ve spoken to a number of the schools involved and I understand their point of view. Our commitment to them is that we will continue to work with ASADA to improve education about the fight against drugs in sport and the detail of formal drug testing procedures.”
- Ends -
For more information please contact David Pembroke on 0416 103 229
back to top
Tuesday 3 April
Peter Antonie: Out of His Shell
A biography of Australian rowing’s unsung hero
Foreword by John Coates AC
This well-researched and vivid account, illustrated with black-and-white photographs, narrates the story of Peter Antonie’s remarkable sporting career, which saw him represent his country from 1977 to 1996.
— Click here — for the flyer (includes order form)
back to top
Tuesday 3 April
March edition of Australian Rowing News now available
Contents include:
- From the CEO, Andrew Dee
- Medaris prevails in World Collegiate Championships
- Savage leads charge into Sydney
- Adaptive Rowing
- Bale nursing strong ambitions
- Coaches tip
- 2006/2007 Events of Interest
- Athlete profile
— Click here —
back to top
Tuesday 3 April
Bale nursing strong ambitions
Rising rowing star Natalie Bale has made a large impact on the water since making the Australian Senior A team in 2005, but her life off the water is proving just as successful.
Bale, who hails from Western Australia, is a Youth Ambassador for the Premiers Physical Activity Task Force. The aim of the group is to encourage people of all ages to get outside and join in some physical activity.
Bale believes that her role, along with other Youth Ambassadors, is essential in promoting a healthy lifestyle.
“Our role is not to make people run for an hour each day or push the body beyond its physical limit,” Bale said. “All we try and encourage is to get away from the computer screen at home or the office and partake in some physical activity.”
|
Natalie Bale is making a strong contribution to the community |
Based at the AIS in Canberra, Bale is also studying nursing via correspondence part time at Curtin University in Perth, and said eventually she would like to move into this field.
“Growing up I always found myself watching shows such as RPA and ER,” Bale recollected. “I enjoy the hands on work involved with nursing and I guess that reflects my active lifestyle. I can’t spend too much time in front of a computer or doing paperwork!”
However Bale must first focus on making the Senior A team for the 2007 international season.
“I had a disappointing season last year and suffered a couple of injuries,” Bale said. “This allowed me to go away and refocus my goals and this year I feel a lot stronger and fitter heading into the selection trials in April. The girl’s squad is really strong at the moment and I would enjoy the chance to be involved.”
The national selection event is being held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre, Penrith 13-22 April.
