Rowing ACT extends its congratulations to Nick Hunter OAM, who was added to the Rowing Australia list of Life Members. This is one of the highest honours in Australian rowing, and recognises the significant and enduring service and dedication that Nick Hunter has given to the sport of Rowing.

At the Club, State, National and International levels there is very little that Nick Hunter has not given to the sport of rowing. He is synonymous with rowing in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), being a long time Club President of the Australian National University (ANU) Boat Club, a former Rowing ACT Board Member and current Life Member. In addition to his roles as an Australian and World Rowing Umpire, a former ACT and Australian rowing coach, and long-time Australian Sports Commission (ASC) administrator, Nick was crucial in the procurement of funding for what was then the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Rowing Centre.

Nick has represented umpires on the Rowing Australia and World Rowing Umpires Commissions. He was also the first Australian to be appointed to World Rowing Umpires Commission. 

Nick’s dedication to rowing is matched by very few. His knowledge of rowing history is truly incredible, with encyclopaedic recall and enjoyment in sharing the stories of athletes, equipment and events. Sharing his knowledge, Nick has supported the development of Rowing ACT staff through many changes and new faces, spending time with each to help guide each through the administrative side of rowing. 

Coach and Athlete

Nick represented Australia at the 1986 Edinburgh Commonwealth Games, as well as the 1984, 1986, 1987 and 1990 World Championships.

Nick began his coaching career in 1988, going on to become the Head Coach of the ACT Academy of Sport (ACTAS) rowing program from 1994-2000, and continuing in a coaching role until 2003. During that time, seven ACTAS athletes were selected for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, and five for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Between 1989 and 2000 Nick ran talent identification programs in the ACT, with 14 athletes subsequently selected to represent Australia and three becoming Olympians. Nick was an Australian team coach between 1990 and 2002, including for the 1990 World Championships, the 1999 and 2000 World Junior Championships, the 2001 and 2002 World Junior Championships, and as Assistant Team Coach for the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Nick continues to coach at the ANU Boat Club on a regular basis. 

Umpire

Nick is a World Rowing, Rowing Australia and ACT umpire. He regularly assists in the development of new umpires at all levels in education and assessment. Nick has been a part of the teams that lead the development of rowing umpiring as it currently stands, including the usage of zonal umpiring and the development of Australia’s umpires in Coastal and Beach Sprint Rowing.

Nick has been on Rowing Australia juries as an umpire on multiple occasions since 2006, including seven Australian Rowing Championships. He was President of the Jury at the first Coastal Rowing and Beach Sprint National Championships. 

On the world stage, Nick has been on World Rowing juries multiple times. In 2022, Nick served as President of the Jury for the World Rowing Under 19 and Under 23 Championships.

Development and Administration

Nick constantly aims to develop individuals, roles and responsibilities to further the sport of rowing. At an Australian level, he currently sits on the Rowing Australia Umpires Commission, the Coastal Rowing Working Group and the Rowing in Australian Working Group. Internationally, Nick is a member of the World Rowing Umpires Commission, the first Australian to be appointed to this Commission.

During Nick’s time as a member of the Australia Sports Commission, he was an integral part of the business case and development of the $2.2million expansion of Rowing Australia House and AIS Rowing Centre in Yarralumla, now the Men’s National Training Centre.

In 2016, Nick was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his service to the rowing community. Nick has said he keeps showing up because of what rowing has given to him, and there is no denying his dedication to the sport of rowing.