Senior athletes gear up for Tokyo
On Sunday 13th June, 8 SUBC athletes were announced on the Australian Olympic Rowing team, set to compete in Tokyo next month. After a year of delay, and months of uncertainty, the team will finally head up to Rockhampton this week before completing a 3-week departure camp in order to prepare for the games. SUBC has athletes in six different boat classes, and we can’t wait to see what they and their teammates achieve. They have all been working very hard and we wish them all luck!
Men’s Four: Alex Purnell, Jack Hargreaves
Men’s Quadruple Scull: Cameron Girdlestone
Men’s Eight: Nick Purnell, Jack O’Brien
Women’s Eight: Genevieve Horton
Women’s Double Scull: Tara Rigney
Women’s Quadruple Scull: Rowena Meredith
Special mention to athletes Alex and Nick Purnell, who are the first brothers since 2004 to row for Australia at an Olympic Games.
Cam Girdlestone, Alex Purnell, Jack Hargreaves and Nick Purnell at the Olympic team announcement. Copyright RA/ Sarah Reed.
World Cup 3- Adelaide, South Australia
SUBC would like to congratulate all the athletes and coaches on the junior, u21, u23 and senior teams who were involved in the World Cup 3 simulation at West Lakes, Adelaide. Although they were not able to compete overseas, there was still a fantastic opportunity to race each other over 4 days and see the results of all their hard work over the past few months. Many crews faced the challenge of racing in scratch boats after their Victorian crew mates were not able to compete, but they made it work and still had a great regatta. It was a great opportunity for underage crews to see how they matched up with senior crews. This regatta was their final chance to race before heading over to compete in Tokyo.
Junior Men's Eight: Hugo Hobbs
Junior Men's Double: Hamish Danks
U23 Eight (U23 4+, U23 2-) Ella Mentzines, Jaime Ford, Cox: Talia Barnet- Hepples
U23 Quad: Eleanor Price, Sophie Houston, Skye Froebel
U23 Lightweight Double: Wallis Russel
U23 Double: Nikki Greenland
Coaches: Jack Hanley (U21 Eight), Alfie Young (U23 Women's Sculling), Chris Holliday (JW2X), Sarah Cook (JW4X)
Hamish Danks, Chris Holliday, Hugo Hobbs, Rowena Meredith and Kate Rowan
Genevieve Horton- Women's 8+. Skye Froebel, Sophie Houston & Eleanor Price
Copyright RA/ Sarah Reed
Rowing NSW End of Season Presentation Night
Last Saturday, the Rowing NSW end of season dinner was held to celebrate the achievements of rowing in New South Wales. SUBC came away with many awards and shields after a very successful 2020/2021 season.
Awards:
Coach of the Year: Alfie Young
Oarswoman of the year: Tara Rigney
Oarsmen of the year: Cameron Girdlestone
Coxswain of the year: Talia Barnet-Hepples
SUBC also came away with the Women’s U23 & Elite shield, and the NSW Honours Recipients Trophy. The Women’s U23 & Elite Shield is awarded to the club who received the greatest number of points in U23 and Elite events throughout the season. The Honours Recipients Trophy is awarded to the club who received the greatest number of points in events at the NSWRA State Championships.
Winter Training
Our main club group continues to work hard at their winter training, completing monthly testing to measure their improvements. They have been integrating with the year 12 winter group on big boat Tuesdays for some battle paddling, as they prepare for upcoming pre-season regattas such as Uni Nationals, Australian Boat Race and Head of the Yarra.
Meet the Athlete : Emily Sheppard
How did you start rowing and when did you begin at SUBC?

I started rowing at SUBC June 2020
What has been your favourite race with the club?
My favourite with the club was the U21 4- at state champs in 2021
What has been your favourite rowing memory?
Favourite race ever was club 8+ at nationals in 2021 when we took the gold on the last day.
Any rowing/ life advice?
It would probably just to be to trust the process and stay consistent with training because it will always be worth it in the end. Also make sure you get involved in the club culture because training is so much better when you can do it with friends
Learn to Row
Thanks to the hard work of Emma Jalalaty, and the athlete volunteers, learn to row has been running smoothly, twice a week on water and on land. There have been major improvements across the group, and in the next few months they will be integrating with the main club group as they continue to learn more about the sport.
Meet the Athlete (LTR) : Alex Fraser
Tell us a bit about yourself:
I’m in my second year of a BVB/DVM at USYD, and have wanted to row for a few years now! I’m passionate about animal welfare and challenging myself everyday.
Why did you decide to take up rowing?
As someone who did ballet for many years, I was super keen to start a team sport that would push my fitness and allow me to get outdoors. My dad also used to row and always spoke so highly of the sport!
What is your favourite and least favourite thing about rowing so far?
Best is seeing myself improve little by little, each week (also getting to know such great people!). Least favourite has been windy days on the water ….
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