The Q. L. Deloitte trophy is one of the most sought-after in New South Wales, if not Australian rowing. Quarton Levitt Deloitte was the first captain of Sydney Rowing Club, and is widely considered the father of amateur rowing in Australia. It is only fitting that such a high-quality field will assemble this year to contest the trophy which bears his name.
Last year was a tight affair; after four years of Sydney University dominance, they were unable to field a crew. Sydney and UTS had a tight battle, and it was the light blue who won the trophy back for the first time since 2019. A surely satisfying victory given that Deloitte permanently resides in the trophy cabinet in Sydney Rowing Club’s foyer.
It was this race that kicked off a glorious year for Sydney, going on to win the Gold Cup, as well as the club, U21, and open eights at nationals. In 2026, though, it seems their rivals have risen to the challenge – setting up a fascinating showdown this weekend.
Mercantile Rowing Club
A club on the rebuild, Mercantile has already shown several glimmers of speed this season across a variety of boats under new head coach Scott Rowe. While this year’s challenger for the elite eight may not be littered with big-name NTC athletes, there are a few reasons to keep an eye on the boys in red and white here.
Dom Frederico will be leading the charge from the two-seat, back on the scene after a winter spent training at Leander in the UK. The two interesting names on board are Nico Chambers and Seric Critchley, joining Mercs on a training camp from Switzerland. These two were bronze medallists in the pair at last year’s U23 World Rowing Championships and European champions in the four. No doubt the extra firepower of some international medallists will be boosting confidence in this, the only entry from south of the border.
Sydney Rowing Club
The reigning champions will be out to prove that last week’s result at the Gold Cup is nothing but a one-off. Rumour has it that the crew listed on paper is nothing but a formality; the men’s squad is on notice after falling short on the Lane Cove River. Given the club’s second eight came so close to their premier crew, I’d expect small boat results on Friday and Saturday to heavily influence the makeup of this crew. When you have two crews so tightly matched, it’s clear there’s room for improvement; however, UTS and Sydney University are boating nearly unchanged lineups. Is one pre-row on Sunday morning going to be enough time together to overcome two slick combinations who’ve been together for weeks?
Sydney University Boat Club
Speaking of clubs on the rise, Sydney University Boat Club has sure come out swinging in 2026. I don’t think anyone was pleased to see SUBC fail to field a crew in this event last year, especially given that they had won the Deloitte for four years in a row before then. Having boated four eights last weekend, and this weekend sending two U21 crews, a club eight, and an elite eight on the water, it’s safe to say Uni is back on the scene.
The men from Linley Point bring an unchanged lineup this weekend, with the exception of cox Lilee Lunney, who jumps in to replace Will Raven. Importantly, Olympic reserve Jackson Kench remains in the stern. Jackson has won this event for two clubs and has tasted victory here more than any other athlete in the field. Given SUBC’s usual focus on small boats, expect this crew to have found some speed off the back of last weekend’s hit-out.
UTS Haberfield Rowing Club
I think it’s safe to say UTS loves its new Empacher. Although I predicted a teal victory last weekend, I didn’t think they’d make it look so easy in the ‘Tim McLaren OAM’. The addition of Olympic gold medallist Jack Hargreaves to the coaching team has clearly had its impact down at Haberfield. The small-boat regatta saw almost every athlete on this crew take a win, and the Gold Cup proved they could make it work together.
There’s only one change for this weekend, and it’s George Field in for Winston Hooper, who returns to his Melbourne University colours. Field was a part of the dominant 2025 St Ignatius crew and will be the youngest member of this combination. It’s certainly a show of faith from the coaching team to send a U21 athlete out amongst one of the most intense eights races this country has to offer. With the momentum UTS is carrying at the moment, though, it sets up a fascinating showdown.
University of Queensland Boat Club
Last but certainly not least, the University of Queensland is our sole entry from north of the border, and comes complete with a stack of horsepower. This crew is unchanged from the lineup which posted a storming 5:43 at the Queensland championships just a few weeks ago. From all reports, the conditions on Lake Wyaralong were very still and very warm, meaning this crew has some serious speed.
Monty Martin will know the competition well too, having been aboard the Sydney second eight at last weekend’s Gold Cup. Similarly, Thomas Shaw previously steered SUBC crews, giving the Queenslanders an insight into their local rivals.
Prediction
There are four clubs that could win this race given their best day. Only Mercantile lacks the firepower to challenge for the lead here. This will be the 12th New South Wales Championships I’ve attended, and I can’t remember an elite field with as much depth as this one.
With that said, I can’t sit on the fence all day – I’ll get splinters.
UTS has clearly risen to the occasion this year; they’ve shown up and performed exceptionally each time asked, and I can’t see that changing this weekend. It’ll be tight, but I predict we’ll see Deloitte go teal for the first time in 22 years.
Even if Sydney totally overhauls their crew and front up with a scratch combination, it’d be foolish to think they’ll be slow. The Abbotsford program spends a significant amount of time in eights and will be able to bring a fresh lineup together quickly. I’ll take them for second. That leaves a skirmish for third to be fought out between UQBC and SUBC, and I’ll predict Sydney Uni to get up in that contest.
