Sarah Cook, our former President of Sydney University Boat Club has been announced as the new CEO of Rowing Australia.
Sarah follows in a tradition of contribution to rowing set by Sydney University members. Previously John Boultbee served on the boards of both Rowing NSW and Rowing Australia and was the first Secretary General of World Rowing from 1989-95. Jane Spring, former women’s club President served on the Board of Rowing NSW and is currently serving on the Board of Sydney University Sport and Fitness.
Below is the announcement of Sarah’s appointment:
“Rowing Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of Sarah Cook OLY as the new Chief Executive Officer.
Sarah brings a unique set of expertise in sports administration and high performance across various sports, both in Australia and internationally. Sarah is currently the Chief Operating Officer of Rowing Australia, the Continental Representative for Oceania on the World Rowing Council and a Steward of Henley Royal Regatta.
Rowing Australia President Rob Scott said that after considering internal and external candidates for the role, the sport was fortunate to have such an outstanding internal candidate to step into the role being vacated by outgoing Chief Executive Officer Ian Robson.
“Sarah has the drive and passion required to lead the sport of rowing over the important decade in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Scott said.
“Sarah understands the importance of building alignment across all areas of our sport, from clubs, schools, states, our elite and development programs and new formats such as Indoor and Coastal.
“Sarah’s experience and reputation in World Rowing, together with the perspectives she will bring from other sports, will be invaluable for Rowing Australia.”
“I am honoured to be given the opportunity to lead Rowing Australia, a sport I have been involved with for more than two decades as an athlete, coach and administrator at club, school, state, national and international level,” Sarah said.
“I thank the Board of Rowing Australia and wider rowing community for their ongoing support as I step into this role. It is an exciting time as we head down the Green and Gold Runway towards a home Olympics and Paralympics in Brisbane in 2032.
“I look forward to working collaboratively with our states, community, and partners to drive our sport forward to an exciting future.”
Sarah is an accomplished elite rower and dual-Olympian (2008, 2012). She has acted as a State Councillor, State and Rowing Australia Board member, Rowing Club President and Head of School Rowing.
She is also a dual-international, having represented Australia in sailing before taking a role as High Performance Operations Manager at Australian Sailing. More recently, Sarah has been a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Baseball Australia and is an inaugural Member of the National Sports Tribunal.
Sarah will commence her new role as CEO at the end of July 2023.”