The New South Wales Rowing Association (NSWRA) was formed in 1878. On July 1st, 2011 the Association adopted a new constitution and became Rowing New South Wales Incorporated (RNSW).
The initial impetus for the formation of the Association was a challenge from our neighbouring state of Victoria (or colony as it was in those days) for a race to be conducted in 1879. Things haven't changed much since - just more states to challenge for racing supremacy in Australia.
Since 1878 the number of rowing clubs in NSW has grown from three clubs at the time the Association was established to more than 35 clubs today, not counting a host of schools with rowing programs.
Rowing New South Wales governs the sport of rowing in NSW. It decides on the rules for racing in NSW, determines boat classes for racing events, sets an annual calendar of regattas, and promotes the rowing in this state.
Through the club and school system the sport caters for male and female rowers from elite to novice level including athletes with a disability.
Membership of Rowing New South Wales is around 5000.
Sydney International Regatta Centre - photo provided by Melba Studios
Office Bearers 2012 - 2013
| President |
Ivan Adlam |
Chairman of the Board
|
| Deputy President |
Bryan Weir |
Board Member
|
| Director - Finance |
Andrew Gannon |
Board Member
|
| Director |
Deanna Fekete |
Board Member
|
| Director |
Stephen Handley |
Board Member
|
| Director |
Chris Noel OAM |
Board Member
|
| Director |
Bronwen Watson |
Board Member
|
| Director |
Sam Crosby |
Board Member
|
| Director |
Miranda Bennett |
Board Member |
| Board Secretary |
Anthony Blower (CEO) |
| Public Officer |
Anthony Blower (CEO) |
| Hon. Medical Officer |
Dr Phillip Sharp |
| Hon. Solicitor |
Torq Murray |
| Hon. Historian & Archivist |
Dr Phillip Sharp |
| Registrar Colours |
Tim Wainman |
| Chairman of Competition Commission |
Stephen Handley |
| Chairman of Regatta Commission |
Keith Jameson OAM |
| Boat Race Official Examiners |
Victor Walter
Tim Wainman
Greg Smith
Brian Kelleher
Ron Beattie |
| Delegate - Rowing Australia Inc. |
Ivan Adlam (President) |
| Delegate - NSW Olympic Council |
Doug Donoghue AM |
Delegate - Commonwealth Games Association
(NSW Division) |
Margaret Mackenzie OAM |
| Delegate - Waterways Authority Advisory Committee |
Murray Clarke OAM |
| Property Officer |
Rod Richardson |
| Trustees to Laurie Stepto Memorial Trust Fund |
Geoff McIntyre AM
J Doug Donoghue AM
Andrew Rowley |
By the way, if you are interested in knowing who won the 1879 eights race over four miles, it was NSW - by 6 lengths. But to balance the record, we note that the first race between Victorian and New South Wales crews was in 1878, prior to the formation of the NSWRA. The 1878 inaugural race was won by Victoria.
For this slice of history we acknowledge May A. L (1970) Sydney Rows: A Centennial History of Sydney Rowing Club. Sydney Rowing Club: Abbotsford.
