Rowing
Boats, propelled by one or two oars and up to eight rowers, move backwards on the water.
Rowing in Australia dates back to at least the 1800's. Australia's first world sporting champion was Edward "Ned" Tricket in 1867. 1
Discover more about rowing through the Clearinghouse evidence base:
- Modified Sports - adaptations that make rowing more inclusive and accessible.
- Australian Sport History - history and Hall of Fame information about rowing.
Evolution:
- Australian Amateur Rowing Council [1925-1984]
- Australian Rowing Council [1984-1996]
- Rowing Australia [1996-]
Participation
An estimated 135,500 Australians [aged 15+] participated in rowing at least once in 2024. 2
An estimated 6,000 Australian children [aged 0-14] participated in rowing at least once in 2024. 2
An estimated 57,000 Australian women [aged 15+] and 78,000 Australian men [aged 15+] participated in rowing at least once in 2024. 2
Explore further participation statistics for rowing through the AusPlay online portal., opens in a new tab
Governing body
Rowing Australia is the organisation recognised by government at all levels as the National controlling body for the sport of rowing in Australia. 1
A national organisation for rowing in Australia, the Australian Amateur Rowing Council, was first established in 1925. The name was changed to the Australian Rowing Council in 1984, and then to Rowing Australia in 1996. 3
REFERENCES
- Rowing Australia History, opens in a new tab, Rowing Australia, (accessed 14 January 2026).
- AusPlay Data Portal: Participation by activity, opens in a new tab, Australian Sports Commission, (accessed 14 January 2026).
- History of Rowing Australia, opens in a new tab, Andrew Guerin, Australian Rowing History, (accessed 14 January 2026).
Documents
The Clearinghouse for Sport has sought permission from relevant organisations for the inclusion of their documents in this archive. Copyright ownership remains vested with the organisation and as such permission from the copyright owner should be sought if you wish to communicate, adapt or reproduce these documents.
- Rowing Australia Annual Report 2024[PDF • 21.08 mb]
- Rowing Australia Annual Report 2023[PDF • 17.56 mb]
- Rowing Australia Annual Report 2022[PDF • 29.71 mb]
- Rowing Australia Annual Report 2021[PDF • 9.13 mb]
- Rowing Australia Annual Report 2020[PDF • 24.68 mb]
- Rowing Australia Annual Report 2019[PDF • 13.08 mb]
- Rowing Australia Annual Report 2018[PDF • 13.91 mb]
- Rowing Australia Annual Report 2017[PDF • 2.43 mb]
- Rowing Australia Annual Report 2016[PDF • 3.11 mb]
- Rowing Australia Annual Report 2015[PDF • 2.86 mb]
- Rowing Australia Annual Report 2013-2014[PDF • 2.38 mb]
- Rowing Australia Annual Report 2012-2013[PDF • 1.7 mb]
- Rowing Australia Annual Report 2011-2012[PDF • 1.56 mb]
- Rowing Australia Annual Report 2010-2011[PDF • 1.41 mb]
- Rowing Australia Annual Report 2009-2010[PDF • 1.95 mb]
- Rowing Australia Annual Report 2008-2009[PDF • 1.45 mb]
- Rowing Australia Annual Report 2007-2008[PDF • 3.76 mb]
- Rowing Australia Annual Report 2006-2007[PDF • 3.8 mb]
- Rowing Australia Annual Report 2005-2006[PDF • 4.38 mb]
- Rowing Australia Annual Report 2004-2005[PDF • 1.89 mb]
- Rowing Australia Annual Report 2003-2004[PDF • 2.17 mb]
- Rowing Australia Annual Report 2002-2003[PDF • 1.02 mb]
- Rowing Australia Annual Report 2002[PDF • 8.08 mb]
- Rowing Australia Annual Report 2001[PDF • 6.32 mb]
- Rowing Australia Annual Report 2000[PDF • 4.9 mb]
- Rowing Australia Annual Report 1999[PDF • 5.63 mb]
- Australian Rowing Council Annual Report 1992-1993[PDF • 5 mb]
- Australian Rowing Council Annual Report 1991-1992[PDF • 25.74 mb]
- Australian Rowing Council Annual Report 1990-1991[PDF • 31.22 mb]
- Australian Rowing Council Annual Report 1989[PDF • 1.61 mb]
- Australian Rowing Council Annual Report 1988[PDF • 1.91 mb]
- Australian Rowing Council Annual Report 1987[PDF • 4.53 mb]
- Australian Rowing Council Annual Report 1986[PDF • 1.1 mb]
- Australian Rowing Council Annual Report 1985[PDF • 2.16 mb]
- Australian Rowing Council Annual Report 1984[PDF • 1.4 mb]
- Australian Amateur Rowing Council Annual Report 1982[PDF • 445.96 kb]
- Australian Amateur Rowing Council Annual Report 1980[PDF • 1.38 mb]
- Australian Amateur Rowing Council Annual Report 1979[PDF • 5.65 mb]
Annual reports for 1981, 1983, 1994-1998 not held
Rowing Australia
- Rowing Australia Financial Report 1 July 2014 to 31 December 2014[PDF • 643.41 kb]
- Rowing Australia Special Purpose Financial Report 2003-2004[PDF • 716.7 kb]
- Rowing Australia Special Purpose Financial Report 2002-2003[PDF • 629.98 kb]
Olympic Boat Fleet Trust [Rowing Australia as trustee]
The Olympic Boat Fleet Trust was established in 2003/2004 from a gift by the Australian Olympic Committee and Rowing Australia.
- Olympic Boat Fleet Trust Special Purpose Financial Report 2003-2004[PDF • 415.54 kb]
- Olympic Boat Fleet Trust Special Purpose Financial Report 2002-2003[PDF • 318.09 kb]
Australian International Rowing Foundation [Rowing Australia as trustee]
Rowing Australia, Olympic Boat Fleet Trust, and Australian International Rowing Foundation combined reports
- Rowing in Australia 5+5 Strategic Plan 2022-2032[PDF • 1.76 mb]
- Rowing Whole of Sport Strategic Plan 2015-2020[PDF • 982.34 kb]
- Rowing Australia Strategic Plan 2009-2013[PDF • 87 kb]
