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Congratulations Charlie Appleton - Rowing Australia Umpire

Published Tue 12 Aug 2025

Rowing NSW extends its congratulations to Charlie Appleton, NSW's latest Boat Race Official to pass the Level 3 Accreditation and becoming a Rowing Australia Umpire.  Charlie sat his board exam and practical assessment at the recent Australian Masters Rowing Championships held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre.  

                                           

Charlie first became involved in rowing through his children when they started rowing at high school.  Through his involvement in the parent support group, he began boat driving and eventually was the parent regatta convenor at their school, in charge of organising the regatta as the host.  Having spent many years as a football referee, when he saw the need for more boat race officials at school regattas, he stepped up to the challenge of learning the rules of boat racing.

After passing a theory test and completing practical hours under the guidance of other boat race officials, Charlie became a Level 1 accreditated official in 2018.  He then progressed on to Level 2 in 2022.  Charlie has officiated at many regattas throughout the years including at regattas on Sydney Harbour, out at SIRC and regional regattas in Grafton, Taree and Berry Park.  Now that he is a Level 3 official he is able to nominate to be on the jury at national championship regattas for Rowing Australia.

Current Rowing Australia Umpires from NSW include:

  • Charlie Appleton
  • Janette Christian
  • Gavin Dods (World Rowing Umpire)
  • Merran Holmes
  • Krystin Munro
  • Greg Smith (World Rowing Umpire)
  • Chris Tucker (RA Umpires Commission member, World Rowing Umpire)
  • Tim Wainman
  • Victor Walter (World Rowing Umpire)
  • Chris Watson

When asked why he volunteers his time to officiate, Charlie said "I love volunteering for rowing because being a BRO can make a valuable contribution to the sport at all levels, and rowing is a welcoming and social community to volunteer for." 

Congratulations Charlie on your achievement, we look forward to seeing you represent NSW on the national stage!

If you are interested to find out more about becoming an accredited boat race official, please contact events@rowingnsw.asn.au.  For more information regarding officiating head to the webpage Become a Boat Race Official