Christine MacLaren

MacLaren made history for Rowing Australia as the first woman to coach an Olympic or Paralympic rowing medal when she guided the Australian PR3 Mixed Double of Nikki Ayers and Jed Altschwager to victory at the Paris Paralympic Games.

Her empathetic, athlete-centred approach is built on mutual respect and trust, valuing her athletes’ perspectives and unique needs.

A champion of innovation, she worked closely with sports scientists and bio-mechanists, introducing new, high-impact exercises tailored to enhance her crew’s capabilities. Her embrace of scientific insight and innovative training techniques has set a new standard within the coaching community, encouraging others to explore collaborative approaches to athlete development.

MacLaren’s holistic understanding of her crew’s needs — both in and out of the boat — ensured peak performance when it mattered most.

Her influence resonates beyond her immediate team. Through her strength, kindness and determination, she has inspired a new generation of coaches to seek excellence and is leaving a legacy within the Australian rowing community.