Image Credit: World Rowing
After a successful Paralympic Games in Paris, where Australian crews nabbed medals for two out of three crews competing, the investigation into performance issues amongst the senior squads seemed a non-issue to those not in the know. For a division of our high-performance programme that brought back so many exceptional results, it was evident that there needed to be more focus on this continually developing programme. A team so full of talent necessitates a coaching staff and selection program to match, and as part of “The Australian Way”, things are already beginning to change.
A new season and Olympic cycle brings in a new leader, Christine McLaren. The gold medal-winning coach has joined ranks with continuing Head Coach James Loveday, who has the title Para-Rowing Lead Coach. This move further solidifies how essential proper leadership is for this blossoming programme. Improving the depth of the squad and enhancing training environments will be key goals for McLaren’s time, all operated out of the Reinhold Batschi National Training Centre in Canberra. The pair have selected a talented list of para-athletes for contention at this year’s selection trials.
Where Australia’s Para-Rowing programme thrives is in the ever-talented PR1 division. Bringing home a paralympic bronze medal from the Paris Olympic Games, Erik Horrie is as close to a sure bet to make the senior team in 2025 as they come. A long-standing member of the group, he will be joined by newcomer and talented ergometer competitor Mitchell Bail, which will allow exposure to the intense high-performance programme as he grows in the sport.
Moving to the PR3 selection, the list is full of young athletes, breathing life into the continuing development of this division. Returning Olympian Susannah Lutze meets the age group to remain in contention for the U23 PR3 team, and fellow U23 athletes Isobel Egan and Sam Stunnell build an impressive combination of U23 and Senior Athletes. Macintyre Russell and Lisa Greissl have been familiar faces in the Interstate Regatta for several years and will undoubtedly provide some exceptional competition in this field of athletes.
It’s clear that an exciting pathway is being developed for Para-Rowing in Australia. As the sport continues to develop in line with the ongoing improvement plans for the entire high-performance programme, athletes will be streamlined into exceptionally competitive crews. Not only is there no better time to ensure inclusion is prevalent in the sport than this turning point for Rowing Australia, but now is the moment to prioritise this inclusion. Building a brighter future and creating opportunities for all athletes is the only way forward.
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