Archive for category: News

Luke Letcher has announced his retirement from International Rowing today.

Luke has been a representative of Australia and the ACT across a number of levels for many years since starting his rowing career at Radford College’s rowing program. A member of the Black Mountain Rowing Club, his career has been one to remember. Capped off by a bronze medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and being named the 776BC Rowers Rower at this years Australian Rowing Awards, Luke has done us very proud.

Luke Letcher at the 2022 Australian Rowing Team Awards after receiving the Rowers Rower Award

With an impressive rowing career, some of Luke’s highlights include a bronze medal for the ACT in the Interstate Single at the 2021 Australian Rowing Championships, many individual and crew boat medals across schoolboy, underage and senior national races, multiple selections in the Australian Junior, U23’s and Senior Rowing Teams, Gold at the 2016 U23 World Cup in the Quadruple Sculls, and a Bronze Medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the Quad Sculls, alongside fellow Canberran Caleb Antill, Jack Cleary and Cameron Girdlestone.

Luke (far R) with his fellow Tokyo Quad Scull crew members (from L) Jack Cleary, Caleb Antill and Cameron Girdlestone

Rowing ACT President Alison Creagh said of Luke’s retirement:

“Luke started his international rowing journey in Canberra as a schoolboy. We are immensely proud of his local, national and international achievements, and I’m sure all in our community congratulate Luke as he retires from international rowing.

I’d also like to recognise the support of Luke’s parents, Vicki and Graham, and his coaches over the years who have contributed to his successes.

We are proud and appreciative of Luke’s long contribution to the Rowing ACT community, and we look forward to him continued support as a coach, mentor and board member of Rowing ACT”

Luke (R) with Cameron Girdlestone and Alexander Hill after the Interstate Single’s Race 2021

Congratulations on your retirement Luke and good luck with your future endevours.

Rowing ACT has elected to reopen nominations for the Masters Men’s and Women’s Interstate Eights as advertised on social media.

With the announcement of the move of the 2022 Australian Masters Rowing Championships from Western Australia to Ballarat, Rowing ACT is looking to see if it is possible to boat a Men’s and Women’s eight in addition to already selected crews.

Currently there are 7 nominees for the men’s eight, 4 nominees for the women’s eight and 1 nominee for coxswains. If you there is anyone within your club who would be interested in nominating for these crews or have any questions about nominating, please ask them to email Sarah via masterscoord@rowingact.org.au

Nominations will remain open until Friday the 11th of March.

The selection policy can be found here: https://rowingact.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Rowing-ACT-2022-Masters-Selection-1-6.pdf

Rowing ACT has selected the following crews to represent the ACT in the Interstate Regatta at the 2022 Australian Rowing Championships.

Congratulations to all selected and well done to all who participated in the selection process for the crews.

Bicentennial Trophy – Women’s U21 8+

Zoe Bond

Madeline Vagg

Olenka Moran

Lauren Goldie

Elisabeth Gregory

Imogen Lang

Emily McHugh

Paloma Padovan

Cox: Cate Barr

Reserves:

Bridget Kelleher-Cole

Penelope Robson

Pippa Gray

Reserve Cox: Catherine Hardman

Coach: Caroline Pijpers 

Wilkinson Cup – Men’s U21 8+

Cormac Hayes

Will Gregory

Rafael Priest

Hamish Roberts

Jake Schemen-Roger

Chris Bush

Ethan Toscan

Jesse Rosin

Cox: Ben Heatley

Reserves:

Damien Schroder 

Jamie Bjerregaard

Kai Martin

Reserve Cox: Catherine Hardman

Coach: Luke Letcher

Coach: Mark Kwiatkowski

Coach: Dave Fraumano

Neil Slatter Trophy – Women’s 1x

Cara Grzeskowiak

Presidents Cup – Men’s 1x

Caleb Antill

Coach: Nigel Harding

PR3 M1x

Nicholas Neales

Coach: Dave Fraumano

On Sunday morning over 110 people attended a tribute and farewell to Rodney Palmer near the Girls Grammar Rowing Shed. Those attending came from a wide cross section of the community including rowing, soccer and work. His contribution to both rowing and soccer were highlighted as well as his mentoring of young people.

Rodney’s tribute ended with the singing of Hallelujah by Nigel Harding and laying flowers on the Lake. Alison Chinn laid a wreath on behalf of Rowing ACT.

Nominations for the 2022 Youth Crews to compete at the Interstate Regatta, and the Pathways VIII’s to compete at the U19 National Team Trials are now open. Nominations will close on Thursday the 27th of February 2022. Any questions should be sent to Head Coach Dave Fraumano at headcoach@rowingact.org.au.

All nominees should read the Interstate Selection Policies and Process before nominating to ensure they are aware of all necessary requirements.

https://form.jotform.com/220061476153852

2022 ACT Interstate, Youth Team and Pathways Selection Processes

ACT State Team, Youth Team and Pathways Selection Policy

Following Rodney’s death on 23 December, he was cremated at a very small private ceremony.  While Rodney is gone, he is far from forgotten.

Rowing ACT has been advised that Friends and fellow rowers are invited to gather at the grassed area next to the Canberra Girls Rowing Club (please see the image below) at 10 am on Sunday 23 January, for a 10.15 start.   There will be some short eulogies and flowers placed on the Lake, where he spent so much of his time.  (Bring a flower from your garden to participate.) It is expected to take less than an hour.  You may wish to bring chairs and snacks and stay awhile to enjoy the venue.

BE COVID SAFE

Please observe all COVID rules for your safety and the safety of others. Physical distancing is important and if you feel ill please do not come. The guidelines indicate face masks are required when in close proximity to others and attendance will be logged.

Rodney passed away this morning at Clare Holland House after fighting cancer since early 2019. He was 71.

Rodney was a very well known identity in the rowing community and made an enormous contribution over the years. He was a tireless Boat Race Official, held positions in a number of Clubs, coached and was a great supporter of both junior and adult rowing. He introduced and taught to row many people in Canberra. He had a boat named after him in the Canberra Rowing Club where he held a number of positions before moving to Black Mountain Rowing Club. In recognition of his long service to rowing, he was awarded the Cliff Hill Shield in 2021.

Rodney proudly displaying the Cliff Hill Shield

Rodney was a cheerful presence in the community and was always ready to help. This generosity of spirit extended to soccer. He had played at a high level and refereed for decades.

Rodney had a wide circle of friends and he influenced many lives. He will be missed.

SENIOR INTERSTATE WOMEN’S SQUADNikkiAyers
SENIOR INTERSTATE WOMEN’S SQUADAdairFerguson
SENIOR INTERSTATE WOMEN’S SQUADNicolaGreenland
SENIOR INTERSTATE WOMEN’S SQUADCaraGrzeskowiak
SENIOR INTERSTATE WOMEN’S SQUADElloraKelly
SENIOR INTERSTATE WOMEN’S SQUADCatherineKhan
SENIOR INTERSTATE WOMEN’S SQUADKerryKnowler
SENIOR INTERSTATE WOMEN’S SQUADEloiseLambden
SENIOR INTERSTATE WOMEN’S SQUADAlexandraMoylan
SENIOR INTERSTATE WOMEN’S SQUADCharlotteRyan
SENIOR INTERSTATE MEN’S SQUADCalebAntill
SENIOR INTERSTATE MEN’S SQUADNicholasBarnier
SENIOR INTERSTATE MEN’S SQUADJacksonBoyd
SENIOR INTERSTATE MEN’S SQUADHarrisonGlackin
SENIOR INTERSTATE MEN’S SQUADHamishHarding
SENIOR INTERSTATE MEN’S SQUADCormacHayes
SENIOR INTERSTATE MEN’S SQUADLucaHehir
SENIOR INTERSTATE MEN’S SQUADLucasHempton
SENIOR INTERSTATE MEN’S SQUADThomasM Perry
SENIOR INTERSTATE MEN’S SQUADAlexanderMigdalias
SENIOR INTERSTATE MEN’S SQUADNickNeales
SENIOR INTERSTATE MEN’S SQUADEthanPeters
SENIOR INTERSTATE MEN’S SQUADJaedonPeters
SENIOR INTERSTATE MEN’S SQUADRafaelPriest
SENIOR INTERSTATE MEN’S SQUADNicholasTanner
SENIOR INTERSTATE MEN’S SQUADEthanToscan
ACT SQUAD COXESSarahDavoren
ACT SQUAD COXESRenaeDomaschenz
ACT SQUAD COXESVinharaGoonesekera
ACT SQUAD COXESAlexandraMcDonagh
COACHWilliamHatcher
COACHNigelHarding
COACHLukeLetcher

A minor amendment to the By-Laws was made on 15 November 2021 to allow women to compete in Men’s A Grade or Open Events.