History of Rowing Victoria Inc

Whilst State and National rowing associations had introduced professional administration from the 1980s, and professional coaches commenced at all levels during 1990s, the sport was professionally administered, coached and supported by 2000. Further, senior teams were fully funded by Sports Commission grants. The only people not funded were the rowers, although a medal reward program commenced at the Olympic level. Regular athlete payments would need to wait until 2020s with the generosity of Hancock Prospecting and specifically Mrs Reinhardt provided that support.

Much of this progress had been accelerated by the home Olympics in 2000 with the desire that we needed not only needed the Games to be administered well, but our athletes needed to perform well.

1999-2000

Victorian athletes had it all to work for in the build-up to the Summer Olympic Games to be held on home ground in Sydney.  The World Championships in 1999 were conducted in S Catherine's Canada where the highlight was the win by Victorians James Tomkins and Drew Ginn in the pair. Other Victorians to medal were Jason Day in the quad, Ben Dodwell in the four, Rachel Taylor in the pair, and Anthony Edwards in the lightweight four.

1999 World Championships - Drew Ginn and James Tomkins enjoy their win in the pair

Rachel Taylor in the bow of the women's pair at the 1999 World Championships - Bronze Medalist

Expectation and excitement for the home Games were understandably high, given the performance of Australian Crews at the 1999 World Rowing Championships taking seven medals. 

The selection process began at the National Time Trial at Penrith in December 1999, in which Victorian athletes were fastest in four of the events, setting the standard and outlining the strength of the VIS Rowing Programme. Following a period of intense preparation and training, it was back to Penrith for national selection trials held in conjunction with the National Championships at the Sydney International Regatta Centre, upon which the Games would be raced. At the end of a week of tumultuous weather, Victoria emerged to win the Zurich Cup at the Interstate Regatta. 

Following further selection trials held in April and May, an impressive 15 Victorians were selected into the Sydney 2000 Australian Team.

Drama and heartbreak occurred at the World Cup in Lucerne, at which the reigning world champion in the Men’s Pair and Mercantile Athlete, Drew Ginn suffered a reoccurrence of a back injury and had no choice but to withdraw from competition. What followed could only be described as amazing as Mathew Long, who had missed out on selection in the Men’s Eight, took the seat of Ginn and rowing on bowside opposed to his natural stroke side, and won the World Cup. Following the team’s return to Australian soil and upon seeking medical opinion, Drew Ginn had to tragically withdraw from the Games and Mathew Long and James Tomkins were selected as the Men’s Pair for the Games. Drew no doubt immediately set his sights on the long road ahead for Athens 2004.

2000-01

Upon the culmination of the Sydney Olympic Rowing Regatta, the president of FISA proclaimed it to be the best Olympic Regatta ever, as excellent conditions saw history be made with Steve Redgrave winning his record breaking fifth consecutive gold medal.

Whilst there were no gold medals won by Australian Crews, this did not subtract from their inspiring and impressive performances. Victorians Mathew Long and James Tomkins claimed a bronze medal in the Men’s Pair. An astounding row was had by Michael McKay and Christian Ryan to claim silver in the Men’s Eight, as well as Anthony Edwards’s and Robert Richards Silver in the Lightweight Men’s Four, and Rachael Taylor’s triumphant silver Women’s Pair. Special mention must also be given to Katie Foulkes, Emily Martin, Jane Robinson, Bronwyn Thompson, Rachael Kininmonth, and finally Georgina Douglas for their fifth places finishes in the Women’s Eight and Single, respectively. 

2000 silver medal lightweight four stroked Rob Richards and with Anthony Edwards in the 2 seat

Drew Ginn of the reigning “Oarsome Foursome” unfortunately withdrew from the Olympic Team due to a back injury but his contribution was not forgotten by the team. Nor was Peter Antonie, who announced his retirement from major competition. Drew Ginn and Nick Green’s efforts in conducting rowing seminars for local clubs and schools this season is also widely remembered and appreciated. 

Another two medals were earned at the 2000 Non-Olympic World Championships in the women's lightweight quad with Victorian Eliza Blair in bow and the men's lightweight eight with Victorian Matt Russell also in bow.

This year was one of continuing progress for Rowing Victoria. The first National Selection Trials to be held in Victoria were conducted at Nagambie Lakes in March 2001 alongside the State Championships. This was an invaluable rehearsal for the National Championships to be held in 2002. The number of competitors at Victorian regattas continues to grow, worth nothing is the record 130 entries in the legendary Head of the Yarra Race.

Rowing remained a key program at the Victorian Institute of Sport and the partnership between Rowing Victoria and the VIS ensures that the ideals of the VIS program are enhanced through elite development athletes and the State Rowing Team. The VIS Head Coach, Noel Donaldson, took on an additional role in early February as the Rowing Australia National Men's Head Coach. The VIS affiliation with the national body stayed strong with both supporting coaching funding that has benefited the program.

At the 2001 Interstate Regatta held on the Wivenhoe Dam in March, the Victorian Team produced some astounding results. The winning of the third consecutive Zurich Cup, proudly accepted by president Peter Fraser, occurred following wins in the Kings Cup, Governor General’s Plate and Wilkinson Cup. 

2001-02

The 2001 World Championships on the Rotsee in Lucerne marked the commencement of a period of great success in women's rowing. Australia won gold in both the women's four, eight and lightweight quad. Melbourne Rowing Club member Jane Robinson raced in both the four and eight and Wendouree Ballarat Rowing Club's Emily Martin raced in the eight.

2001 World Champions, Jane Robinson centre back and Emily Martin front send from left

The Victorian Institute of Sport at this stage required its scholarship holders to race under VIS colours, not their Club colours. Therefore key races at the State Championships featured wins by the VIS. The State Championships showed the depth of Victorian rowing at the senior level with the elite women's events fought out by Mercantile and MUBC. The women's eights championships was won by MUBC with Mercantile taking out the men's eights championship. In the under 21 races, MUBC came out on top in both the men's and women's championships.

In the Interstate Championships, Victoria won only the King's Cup but was competitive on all other races. This was sufficient to again take out the point score award for the fourth time in succession. 

2002-03

2003-04

2004-05

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

2008-09

Footnotes

1. Primary source has been the Victorian Rowing Association annual reports - refer appendix 16

2. All images from the Hebfotos collection

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