february 2016 news...february 2016 news above – mercs youth eight win at barwon january 2016 our...

FEBRUARY 2016 NEWS Above – Mercs youth eight win at Barwon January 2016

Our rowers have trained hard and are well prepared for February when all will be revealed. Our youth

crews are well placed and have good early wins, our under 23 rowers are looking to see what other

under 23 rowers there are around the country and our seniors prepare for the Olympic selections in mid

February.

It will be a big month.

Results of Victorian Championships

Published 28th February 2016

Another successful Championship for the Club. Apologies if I have missed any champions, there are

just too many!

Above: the Perpetual Trophies

Championship wins:

WU21 4+ Kate Duggan, Kirstie Green, Maddison Brown, India Dempsey, Cox: Alexis

Hancock, Coach: Brigette Carlile

WU23 2- Olivia Sibillin [MERC], Hedda Cooper [MUBC]

MU23 2- Callum Nott, Tom Hunt, Coach: David Pincus

WO2- Lea Duret, Hannah Lewis, Coach: Simon Gadsden

MO2- Liam Donald, Angus Widdicombe, Coach: David Pincus

MU21 2- Lennart Schiesswohl, Max Mezger, Coach: John Saunders

WU23 1x Amanda Bateman, Coaches: Simon Gadsden, David Colvin

MLwt 1x Conor Grace, Coach: Peter Tomanovits

WO 8+ Lea Duret, Adriana Marulli, Madeleine Thomas, Olivia Sibillin, Katrina Werry,

Hannah Lewis, Madeleine Cordner, Sophie Sutherland, Cox: Alexis Hancock, Coaches: Simon

Gadsden, David Colvin, Brigette Carlile

MO 8+ Angus Maloney, Alexander Kinsella, Alexander Wolf, Callum Nott, Tom Hunt,

Angus Widdicombe, Liam Donald, Hugo Laborde, Cox: Roy Zhang, Coaches: David Pincus, John

Saunders

MU21 2x Bronson Hooper and James Hoban, Coach: John Saunders

MO 2x Hugo Laborde [MERC], Isaac Smith [MUBC]

WO 4- Hannah Lewis, Madeleine Cordner, Sophie Sutherland, Katrina Werry, Coach: Simon

Gadsden

MO 4- Callum Nott, Tom Hunt, Angus Widdicombe, Liam Donald, Coach: David Pincus

MLwt 4 – Conor Grace, Jayden Grey, William Legge, Carl Tomczak, Coaches: Peter

Tomanovits, William Webster

WU21 8+ Clare Ward, Chloe Deyermond, Gemma Sibillin, Amanda Bateman, Kate Duggan,

Kirstie Green, Maddison Brown, India Dempsey, Cox: Alexis Hancock, Coach: Brigette Carlile

WO 4x Lea Duret, Adriana Marulli, Katrina Werry, Madeleine Thomas, Coach: Simon

Gadsden

WA 2- Maddison Brown, India Dempsey, Coach: Brigette Carlile

MA 4+ Jack Lawrence, Alexander Wolf, Alexander Clarke, Angus Maloney, Cox: James

Rook, Coach: John Saunders

WA 4+ Gemma Sibillin, Chloe Deyermond, Kate Duggan, Kirstie Green, Cox: Alexis

Hancock, Coach: Brigette Carlile

MB 2- Lennart Schiesswohl, Max Mezger, Coach: John Saunders

WB 1x Clare Ward

Above: Women’s and men’s open eight champions celebrate their respective victories together –

WO8 Lea Duret, Adriana Marulli, Madeleine Thomas, Olivia Sibillin, Katrina Werry, Hannah Lewis,

Madeleine Cordner, Sophie Sutherland, Cox: Alexis Hancock, MO8 Angus Maloney, Alexander

Kinsella, Alexander Wolf, Callum Nott, Tom Hunt, Angus Widdicombe, Liam Donald, Hugo Laborde,

Cox: Roy Zhang

Above: Champion Women’s Under 21 Eight – Clare Ward, Chloe Deyermond, Gemma Sibillin,

Amanda Bateman, Kate Duggan, Kirstie Green, Maddison Brown, India Dempsey, Cox: Alexis

Hancock

Below: The girls warming up prior to their race

Above: Champion Women’s Open Quad Scull – Lea Duret, Adriana Marulli, Katrina Werry, Madeleine

Thomas

Below: Preparing their boat

Above: Men’s Lightweight Four Champions – Carl Tomczak, William Legge, Jayden Grey, Conor

Grace

Above: Men’s Lightweight Scull Champion – Conor Grace

Above: Women’s Four Champions – Katrina Werry, Madeleine Cordner, Sophie Sutherland, Hannah

Lewis

Below: Finishing their final

Above: Men’s Four Champions – Liam Donald, Angus Widdicombe, Callum Nott, Tom Hunt

Above: Under 21 Double Scull – Bronson Hooper and James Hoban

Victorian Championships Entries


The huge number of Mercantile entries continues at the States. It makes you wonder how the

Championships could be run without us! Please forgive your correspondent if an entry has been missed.

The Championships are being held at Ballarat this weekend over two days.

Above: Ballarat recently at the Wendouree Ballarat Regatta – our men’s under 21 eight in view

Event and Athletes

MU21 4+ Jack Lawrence, Max Mezger, Alexander Clarke, Alexander Wolf, James Rook(c)

FU21 4+ Kate Duggan, Kirsten Green, Maddison Brown, India Lissa Dempsey, Alexis Louise

Hancock(c)

MU23 2- Callum Nott, Tom Hunt

MU23 2- William Legge, Carl Tomczak

FO 2- Lea Duret, Hannah Lewis

FO 2- Georgia Stewart, Edwina Flakemore

FO 2- Olivia Sibillin, Hedda Cooper

MO 2- Liam Donald, Angus Widdicombe

MU21 2- Josh Bell, Jack Parncutt

MU21 2- Alexander Clarke, Alexander Wolf

MU21 2- Lennart Schiesswohl, Max Mezger

MU21 2- Jack Lawrence, Angus Maloney

FU21 2- Maddison Brown, India Lissa Dempsey

FU21 2- Kate Duggan, Kirsten Green

FU21 2- Chloe Deyermond, Gemma Sibillin

FU21 1X Faith Gasparini

FU21 1X Caitlin Jennings

FU211X Saskia Schneider

FU23 1X Amanda Bateman

MU23 1X Alexander Kinsella

MU23 1X Hugo Laborde

FO 1X Madeleine Thomas

MO 1X Daniel Brighthope

FLW 1X Meghan Hester

FLW 1X Clare Ward

MLW 1X Conor Grace

MLW 1X Jayden Grey

MLW 2- Tristan Shipsides, Michael McNamara

FO 8+ Lea Duret, Adriana Marulli, Madeleine Thomas, Olivia Sibillin, Katrina Werry,

Hannah Lewis, Madeleine Cordner, Sophie Sutherland, Alexis Louise Hancock(c)

MO 8+ Tristan Shipsides, Michael McNamara, Conor Grace, Jayden Green, Tim Day,

William Day, William Legge, Carl Tomczak, James Rook(c)

MO 8+ Angus Maloney, Alexander Kinsella, Alexander Wolf, Callum Nott, Tom Hunt,

Angus Widdicombe, Liam Donald, Hugo Laborde, Roy Zhang(c)

FU21 2X Saskia Schneider, Kathleen Hanson

FU21 2X Chloe Deyermond, Gemma Sibillin

FU21 2X Faith Gasparini, Clare Ward

FLW 2X Meghan Hester, Teneille Linehan-Downes

FO 2X Madeleine Thomas, Amanda Bateman

MU21 2X Lennart Schiesswohl, Angus Maloney

MO 2X Hugo Laborde, Isaac Smith

FO 4- Hannah Lewis, Madeleine Cordner, Sophie Sutherland, Katrina Werry

FO 4- Adriana Marulli, Lea Duret, Georgia Stewart, Edwina Flakemore

MO W4- Conor Grace, Jayden Grey, William Legge, Carl Tomczak

MLW 4- Josh Bell, Jack Parncutt, Tristan Shipsides, Michael McNamara

FU21 8+ Clare Ward, Chloe Deyermond, Gemma Sibillin, Amanda Bateman, Kate Duggan,

Kirsten Green, Maddison Brown, India Lissa Dempsey, Alexis Louise Hancock(c)

FO 4X- Lea Duret, Adriana Marulli, Amanda Bateman, Madeleine Thomas

FO 4X- Faith Gasparini, Clare Ward, Meghan Hester, Teneille Linehan-Downes

MO 4X- James Hoban, Bronson Hooper, Lennart Schiesswohl, Angus Maloney

FA 2- Chloe Deyermond, Gemma Sibillin

FA 2- Kate Duggan, Kirsten Green

FA 2- Maddison Brown, India Lissa Dempsey

MA 4+ Jack Lawrence, Alexander Wolf, Alexander Clarke, Angus Maloney, James Rook(c)

FB 2X Caitlin Jennings, Kathleen Hanson

FB 2X Faith Gasparini, Clare Ward

FB 4+ Gemma Sibillin, Chloe Deyermond, Kate Duggan, Kirsten Green, Alexis Louise

Hancock(c)

FU19 1X Kathleen Hanson

MB 2- Lennart Schiesswohl, Max Mezger

MB 2- Jack Lawrence, Angus Maloney

FC 1X Kathleen Hanson

FC 1X Saskia Schneider

MA 2- Alexander Clarke, Alexander Wolf

FB 1X Faith Gasparini

FB 1X Clare Ward

FC 2X Saskia Schneider, Caitlin Jennings

Henley Results


Mercs raced and won two events at the Henley on Yarra today. Our other entry was withdrawn due to

State Selection responsibilities.

The races won were the Grand Challenge Cup for elite men’s eights and the Doyle Cup for men’s under

21 eight.

Above: Grand Challenge Cup winners – elite eights

Back row: Angus Maloney, Callum Nott, Tom Hunt, Angus Widdicombe, Liam Donald, Hugo Laborde,

Cox: Roy Zhang. Front row: Alexander Kinsella, Daniel Brighthope,

Above: Doyle Cup winners with presenter Club member David Doyle

Back row: Bronson Hooper, Alexander Clarke, Alexander Wolf, Lennart Schiesswohl, Angus Maloney

Front row: Josh Bell, Max Mezger, James Hoban, Cox: James Rook, David Doyle

Olympic Team Announcement


The members of the qualified Olympic boats and the crews selected to attempt qualification were

announced today. The Mercantile members in the team are:

Women’s quad scull (qualified boat) – Jennifer Cleary

Men’s four (qualified boat) – Josh Dunkley-Smith

Women’s eight (not yet qualified boat) – Fiona Albert, Charlotte Sutherland, Jess Morrison, Katrina

Bateman and cox Sarah Banting.

Above: 2015 Australian Women’s Quad with Jen Cleary in the two seat

The full listing follows:

2016 Australian Rowing Team to compete at World Cups 2 and 3

Crews listed bow to stroke; in brackets is their club, State and relevant SIS/SAS if tiered 3 and above)

Men’s Sweep

Men’s Four and Pair Squad

William Lockwood (Melbourne University BC/VIC – RBNTC)

Joshua Dunkley-Smith (Mercantile RC/VIC – VIS)

Joshua Booth (Melbourne University BC/VIC – VIS)

Alexander Hill (Adelaide RC/SA – RBNTC)

Spencer Turrin (Sydney RC/NSW – RBNTC)

Alexander Lloyd (Sydney RC/NSW – RBNTC)

Coach: Chris O’Brien (RBNTC)

Underpinning Coach for Men’s Sweep: Mark Prater (Sydney University BC)

Men’s Sculling

Men’s Quadruple Scull

Karsten Forsterling (Melbourne University BC/VIC – VIS)

Cameron Girdlestone (Sydney University BC/NSW – NSWIS)

James McRae (Murray Bridge RC/SA – SASI)

Alexander Belonogoff (Sydney University BC/NSW – SASI)

Coach: John Driessen (Huon RC)

Men’s Double Scull

Chris Morgan (Sydney RC/SA – NSWIS)

David Watts (Swan River RC/WA – RBNTC)

Coach: Rhett Ayliffe (WAIS)

Women’s Sculling

Women’s Single Scull

Kimberley Brennan (Melbourne University BC/VIC – RBNTC)

Coach: Lyall McCarthy (RBNTC)

Women’s Quadruple Scull

Jessica Hall (Brisbane & GPS RC/QLD – QAS)

Kerry Hore (Huon RC/TAS – TIS)

Jennifer Cleary (Mercantile RC/VIC – VIS)

Madeleine Edmunds (Commercial RC/QLD – QAS)

Coach: Tom Westgarth (QAS)

Women’s Double Scull

Sally Kehoe (Sydney University BC/QLD – SASI)

Elizabeth Kell (Sydney University BC/NSW)* Subject to Medical Clearance

Women’s Sculling Reserve: Genevieve Horton (Mosman RC/NSW – NSWIS)


Underpinning Coach for Women’s Sculling: Andrew Randell (ACTAS)

Para-rowing section for World Cup 3 only

Arms Shoulders Men’s Single Scull

Erik Horrie (Sydney RC/NSW – NSWIS)

Coach: Jason Baker (Sydney RC)

Trunk and Arms Mixed Double Scull

Gavin Bellis (Powerhouse RC/VIC – RBNTC)

Kathryn Ross (ANU/VIC – RBNTC)

Coach: Gordon Marcks (RBNTC)

Final Paralympic Qualification Regatta Crew (21-23 April, Gavirate, Italy)

Legs Trunks and Arms Mixed Coxed Four

Davinia Lefroy (West Australian RC/WA)

Jeremy McGrath (Balmain RC/NSW – NSWIS)

Brock Ingram (West Australian RC/WA)

Kathleen Murdoch (Nepean RC/NSW – NSWIS)

Coxswain – Josephine Burnand (Mosman RC/NSW – NSWIS)

Coach: Lindsay Callaghan (Nepean RC)

Final Olympic Qualification Regatta Crews (22-24 May, Lucerne, Switzerland)

Men’s Sweep

Men’s Coxed Eight Squad

Jack Hargreaves (Sydney University BC/NSW – NSWIS)

Joshua Hicks (Sydney RC/WA – NSWIS)

Fergus Pragnell (Sydney University BC/NSW – VIS)

James Chapman (Sydney RC/NSW – NSWIS)

Nicholas Purnell (Sydney University BC/NSW – NSWIS)

Timothy Masters (UTS RC/VIC)

James Medway (UTS RC/NSW)

Charles Risbey (UTS RC/VIC)

Joshua Hooper (UTS RC/VIC)

Samuel Hookway (Melbourne University BC/VIC – VIS)

Nick Wheatley (Sydney University BC/NSW – NSWIS)

Scott Laidler (UTS RC /QLD – QAS)

Angus Moore (Sydney RC/ACT) * Subject to medical clearance

Coxswain: Stuart Sim (Melbourne University BC/VIC)

Coach: Simon Cox (RBNTC)

Women’s Sweep

Women’s Coxed Eight Squad

Fiona Albert (Mercantile RC/QLD – VIS)

Georgina Gotch (Mosman RC/NSW)

Charlotte Sutherland (Mercantile RC/VIC – VIS)

Alexandra Hagan (Swan River RC/WA – RBNTC)

Jessica Morrison (Mercantile RC/VIC)

Olympia Aldersey (Adelaide RC/SA – RBNTC)

Genevieve Horton (Mosman RC/NSW – NSWIS)

Lucy Stephan (Melbourne University BC/VIC – VIS)

Molly Goodman (Adelaide RC/SA – SASI)

Meaghan Volker (Buckingham RC/TAS – TIS)

Katrina Bateman (Mercantile RC/VIC – RBNTC)

Coxswain: Sarah Banting (Mercantile RC/VIC – VIS)

Coach: Mark Fangen-Hall (RBNTC)

Coach: Alfie Young (Mosman RC)

Women’s Sculling

Lightweight Women’s Double Scull

Hannah Every-Hall (Dutton Park RC and Canberra RC/QLD)

Georgia Nesbitt (Huon RC/TAS – TIS)

Reserve: Ella Flecker (Huon RC/TAS – TIS)

Coach: Ellen Randell (UTS RC)

Men’s Sculling

Men’s Single Scull

Rhys Grant (West Australian Rowing Club/WA – WAIS)


David Crawshay


The above selections did not include one of our most distinguished members, David Crawshay.

Above: 2015 Silver medal winning quad scull with David in bow

When the selectors determined that the 5th placed men’s double from 2015 World Championships was

to be put into the men’s quad scull which finished with a silver last year, they also determined that there

was no room for David Crawshay in that boat. Given his family responsibilities, David then decided to

withdraw from selections for the double and single. He has now retired from international competition.

David has had a long and brilliant rowing career. In summary:

• Triple Olympian

• Olympic Double Scull Champion 2008

• Dual under 23 World Championship medallist

• Triple World Championship medallist

• President’s Cup – Four time winner

• King’s Cup – Two time winner

However, some of his more interesting achievements have been:

• One of the very few people to have even won the triple crowns of the Charles Fairbairn Cup (Head

of the River) for his school, the Oxford and Cambridge Eight (University Championships) for his

university and the King’s Cup (Interstate Championships) for his State. Or the only person known

to your correspondent to have the four crowns, the above and also an Olympic Championship.

• One of the few who has won the other triple of the Wilkinson Cup (Interstate Youth Eight

Championships), the President’s Cup (Interstate Sculling Championship) and the King’s Cup

(Interstate Eight Oared Championship).

• His alter ego has been Captain Victoria, who has provided a humorous and inspirational talk for

Victorian crews on the night before the Interstate Championships.

His member profile can be found under the About tab.

He an extraordinary champion of our sport.

https://www.rowinghistory-aus.info/rower-profiles/crawshay-david

Henley Entries


Mercantile is supporting this traditional regatta with entries in the men’s open eight with a crew based

on our under 23 rowers, our men’s youth eight and a B eight comprised of lightweights and other

rowers. All three eights will be very competitive.

MO8+ Male Open Eight 1600M

Angus Maloney, Alexander Kinsella, Daniel Brighthope, Callum Nott, Tom Hunt, Angus

Widdicombe, Liam Donald, Hugo Laborde, Cox: Sarah Banting

MU218+ Male Under 21 Eight 1600M

Max Mezger, James Hoban, Bronson Hooper, Jack Lawrence, Alexander Clarke, Angus Maloney,

Lennart Schiesswohl, Alexander Wolf, Cox: James Rook

MB8+ Male B Grade Eight 1600M

Conor Grace, Jayden Grey, William Legge, Carl Tomczak, Tristan Shipsides, Hugo Laborde,

Alexander Kinsella, Tom Hunt, Cox: Roy Zhang

David Boykett OAM

Updated 14th February 2016

It is with great regret that the Club advises members of the death on 10th February of our beloved

Crockett – life member, past President, past Captain, Olympic Medallist, superb coach and teacher. He

remains a legend of our Club and of the sport.

The memorial service to celebrate Crockett’s life will be held at Scotch College, James Forbes

Academy, Morrison Street Hawthorn Thursday 18th February 2016 at 5.30pm. In lieu of flowers, the

family has requested that donations be made to the David Boykett Tall Ships Voyaging Fund given via

www.communityfoundation.org.au/donate.

Above: Crockett in 1966 when Victoria won the three men’s Interstate Championships. Left is Jeff Sykes

who won the President’s Cup, Crockett with the King’s Cup and George Xouris with the Penrith Cup.

http://www.communityfoundation.org.au/donate

Club members competing on Saturday at the NSW Championships wore black arm bands in memory

of Crockett.

Above: Our women’s under 21 crew winning with black arm bands

2016 Olympic Shadow Team


The invitation list for further senior selection trials has been announced.

We congratulate all the Mercantile members who have participated and obviously those still on the list,

namely:

Women’s Sculling

Jennifer Cleary

Women’s Sweep

Fiona Albert

Katrina Bateman

Jessica Morrison

Charlotte Sutherland

Sarah Banting

Men’s Sculling

David Crawshay

Men’s Sweep

Josh Dunkley-Smith

John Linke

Lightweight Men

James Wilson

Mercantile wins at NSW Championships


Your correspondent has been overwhelmed by Mercantile news and has trouble keeping up with what

has occurred. A few pictures to keep members abreast of some of the news whilst a report is compiled.

More to come.

Above: NSW Champion Eight – Mercantile

Above: NSW Champion Lightweight Eight – Mercantile/Corio Bay

Above: NSW Champion Under 21 Eight – Mercantile

Scotch Mercantile Regatta – Advertising Opportunity


This regatta which was formed in 1959 by Scotch and Mercantile, has been a leading regatta ever since.

It has provided great racing for school rowers and has always been an innovator.

This year the regatta committee and Scotch and Mercantile who sit behind this committee, want to break

new ground. They want to have a large screen on site with live footage of racing and results.

Furthermore they want to stream this live onto the internet. This is hopefully the start of far better

coverage for rowing.

This of course costs money. We are seeking interest from businesses who might be interested in

advertising on the screen and the internet. The cost will be modest and the exposure within

rowing schools and the sport of rowing will be significant. It will be watched by many people. We have

one advertiser signed up already but others are needed.

Could interested members or their friends please call Bill Webster on 0418 390283.

Scotch Mercantile Race Sponsorships


Separately, the regatta is seeking race sponsors for the regatta. To assist funding the great work of this

regatta, members are asked to consider sponsor a race.

Interested members can contact Bill Webster as above or Phil Batters on [email protected].

NSW Championships


A huge Mercantile entry at the NSW Championships this weekend. There is not much of Mercs left in

Victoria! These Championships are the critical selection event for our senior athletes and also of

important for Australian under 23 athletes and Victorian under 21 athletes. It is the first opportunity to

hit out against the best in the land. Our best wishes to our many crews.

Sorry for the long list of entries but isn’t it great to see!!

PS: Sorry if I missed anyone.

CMU23 1x Alexander Kinsella

CWE 1x Jess Morrison

CWE 1x Madeleine Thomas

CWE 1x Katrina Bateman

CWE 1x Charlotte Sutherland

CWE 1x Jennifer Cleary

CWE 1x Addy Dunkley Smith

CWE 1x Adriana Marulli

CWE 1x Sophie Sutherland

CWE 1x Madeleine Cordner

CWE 1x Hannah Lewis

CWE 1x Katrina Werry

CME 1x David Crawshay

CME 1x Daniel Brighthope

CME 2-Liam Donald, Angus Widdicombe

CME 2-Tom Hunt, Callum Nott

CME 2- Josh Hooper, Tim Masters (Banks)

CME 2-John Linke, Tim Larkins (MUBC)

CWU21L 1x Clare Ward

CWU23L 1x Meghan Hester

CMU23L 1x Jayden Grey

CMEL 1x James Wilson

CMEL 1x Michael McNamara

CMEL 1x Conor Grace

CMEL 2- William Legge, Carl Tomczak

CWU21 8+ Clare Ward, Chloe Deyermond, Gemma Sibillin, Amanda Bateman, Kate Duggan,

Kirsten Green, Maddison Brown, India Lissa Dempsey, Alexis Louise Hancock (c)

CMU21 8+ James Hoban, Max Mezger, Jack Lawrence, Bronson Hooper, Alexander Clarke, Angus

Maloney, Lennart Schiesswohl, Alexander Wolf, James Rook (c)

CWE 2x Amanda Bateman, Caitlin Cronin (UQBC)

CME 2x Daniel Brighthope, Hugo Laborde

CWE 4- Adriana Marulli, Rachael Hooper, Georgia Stewart, Edwina Flakemore

CME 4- Callum Nott, Tom Hunt, Angus Widdicombe, Liam Donald

CMEL 4- Conor Grace, Jayden Grey, William Legge, Carl Tomczak

CME 4+ Callum Nott, Tom Hunt, Angus Widdicombe, Liam Donald, James Rook (c)

CMU23 2- Liam Donald, Angus Widdicombe

CMU23 2- Tom Hunt, Callum Nott

CMU23 2- Alexander Clarke, Alexander Wolf

CMU23 2- William Legge, Carl Tomczak

CME 8+ Angus Maloney, Alexander Kinsella, Daniel Brighthope, Callum Nott, Tom Hunt, Angus

Widdicombe, Liam Donald, Hugo Laborde, Sarah Banting (c)

CMEL 8+ Tristan Shipsides, Michael McNamara, William Legge, Jayden Grey, Tim Day, William

Day, Conor Grace, Carl Tomczak, James Rook (c)

CWU21 2- Maddison Brown, India Lissa Dempsey

CWU21 2- Kate Duggan, Kirsten Green

CWU21 2- Gemma Sibillin, Chloe Deyermond

CMU21 2- Alexander Clarke, Alexander Wolf

CMU21 2- Lennart Schiesswohl, Max Mezger

CMU21 2- Jack Lawrence, Angus Maloney

CMU21 2- James Hoban, Bronson Hooper

Racing in Sydney at 2015 Nationals

David Boykett OAM


It is with great regret that the Club advises members of the death today of our beloved Crockett – life

member, past President, past Captain, Olympic Medallist, superb coach and teacher. He remains a

legend of our Club and of the sport.

Further details will follow shortly.

Sarah Tait


As many members are aware, great club member and Olympic silver medallist at London, Sarah Tait is

very ill. The Tait family have issued the following statement:

Bill and Sarah, and family would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in the sporting and

wider community for sending their support, kind thoughts and well wishes.

The comfort, care and guidance they have received from everyone has helped them so much during

Sarah’s difficult time.

Sarah is currently comfortable, and the family will continue to update you via the Rowing Australia and

VIS website on her condition.

Our best wishes and thoughts are with Sarah and Bill and their children. For those who do not

know Sarah well, please see her member profile.

https://www.rowinghistory-aus.info/rower-profiles/tait-sarah

Above: Sarah in the stroke seat of her Olympic Pair in London

David Boykett OAM


It is also sad to advise that another great club member David Boykett is also very ill. David is a Life

Member, past Captain, past President, Olympic Medallist, superb coach and teacher.

Our best wishes are with David as well as with Carol and their family. For those who do not David

well, please see his member profile.

Above: David stroking the 1966 Australian eight, some 10 years after his Olympic medal

https://www.rowinghistory-aus.info/rower-profiles/boykett-david-h

Mercantile dominates at Wendouree Ballarat Regatta


Our under age rowers took the opportunity to show their form at Ballarat on the weekend and the results

were excellent. It was a significant regatta for our under 21 group.

The under 21 girls started off in the single scull with Clare Ward finishing first, Kathleen Hanson third

and Faith Gasparini in fourth place. The pair was won by Maddison Browne and India Dempsey with

Kirstie Green and Kate Duggan in second place. With a third and fourth placing in the double, it was

obvious that the eight was going to be fast. The margin was 18.33 seconds and the crew of Georgie

Gleeson, Clare Ward, Gemma Sibillin, Amanda Bateman, Kate Duggan, Kirstie Green, Maddison

Brown, India Dempsey, Cox: Alexis Hancock, Coach: Brigette Carlile was superb.

Above: The women’s under 21 eight off the start

The under 21 boys did much the same. The pair was won by Lennart Schiesswohl and Max Mezgar

with Jack Lawrence and Angus Maloney second. With three other pairs racing, it was no surprise that

they won the eight easily by clear water from MUBC.

Above: The under 21 men’s eight off the start

Above: The youth crews together

The under 23 squad also went well with Amanda Bateman winning the open scull with Lea Duret in

third place. In the open double, Adriana Marulli and Lea Duret finished second. In the pair two

Mercantile composite pairs finished first (Olivia Sibillin) and third (Georgie Stewart). Olivia Sibillin

also was in the winning open four.

Above: Amanda Bateman

The under 23 men also did well. Callum Nott and Tom Hunt won the pair with Liam Donald and Angus

Widdicombe winning the open pair. They combined together to win the open four and further, combined

with Hugo Laborde and lighties Carl Tomczak, William Legge and Conor Grace to win the Open Eight.

Alex Kinsella finished third in the scull.

Above: Angus Widdicombe and Liam Donald

The lightweight men also raced in the single scull with Conor Grace in second place and Jayden Grey in

third place. In the pair, the Day brothers defeated William Legge and Carl Tomczak.

Mercantile members still dominate selection trial invitation list


Our senior rowers are preparing for the final Olympic Selection Trials at Penrith from 12th to 14th

February. Mercantile members comprise 17% of those participating, more than any other Club. Most

of these members are from the women’s sweep and sculling group. Given the number of Mercs sweep

rowers and given that Australia has not qualified any women’s sweep crews, we hold our breath to see

whether the women’s sweep group can show the selectors that they are Olympic finalist standard and

worthy of attempting qualification.

There were some great performances from our members in the first trials. Of particular note was Jen

Cleary who took number two spot in women’s sculling.

Good rowing to all our members and best wishes.

The Mercs members still in the squad are:

Fiona Albert

Sarah Banting

Katrina Bateman

Jennifer Cleary

Madeline Cordner

David Crawshay

Addy Dunkley-Smith

Josh Dunkley-Smith

Josh Hooper

Hannah Lewis

John Linke

Jess Morrison

Sophie Sutherland

Charlotte Sutherland

Maddy Thomas

Katrina Werry

James Wilson

Above: Fiona Albert at Lucerne World Cup 2014

Wendouree Ballarat Regatta Entries


Wow! Our entry is huge and a very exciting team of rowers. Best wishes to all. This is a major Victorian

selection regatta for our under 21 rowers so we will be looking at their rowing in particular.

Event Athletes

MU21 2- Alexander Clarke, Alexander Wolf

MU21 2- Lennart Schiesswohl, Max Mezger

MU21 2- Jack Lawrence, Angus Maloney

MU21 2- James Hoban, Bronson Hooper

MU21 2- Josh Bell, Jack Parncutt

FU21 2- Maddison Brown, India Lissa Dempsey

FU21 2- Kirsten Green, Kate Duggan

FU21 2- Alicia Smaldino, Caitlin Jennings

MU23 2- Tom Hunt, Callum Nott

MO 2- Angus Widdicombe, Liam Donald

FO 2- Georgia Stewart, Edwina Flakemore

FO 2- Olivia Sibillin, Hedda Cooper

FU21 1X Clare Ward

FU21 1X Jessica Kilroe-Smith

FU21 1X Faith Gasparini

FU21 1X Gemma Sibillin

MU23 1X Alexander Kinsella

MO 1X Daniel Brighthope

FO 1X Amanda Bateman

FO 1X Caitlin Cronin

FLW 1X Meghan Hester

MLW 1X Conor Grace

MLW 1X Jayden Grey

MLW 1X Michael McNamara

MLW 2- William Legge, Carl Tomczak

MO 8+ Carl Tomczak, William Legge, Callum Nott, Conor Grace, Angus Widdicombe, Tom Hunt,

Hugo Laborde, Liam Donald, Sarah Banting(c)

FU21 2X Kathleen Hanson, Faith Gasparini

FU21 2X Alicia Smaldino, Caitlin Jennings

FO 2X Meghan Hester, Teneille Linehan-Downes

FO 2X Amanda Bateman, Caitlin Cronin

MO 2X Hugo Laborde, Daniel Brighthope

MO 4- Tom Hunt, Callum Nott, Liam Donald, Angus Widdicombe

FSCH 1XO1 Kathleen Hanson

FU21 8+ Jessica Kilroe-Smith, Clare Ward, Gemma Sibillin, Amanda Bateman, Kate Duggan,

Kirsten Green, Maddison Brown, India Lissa Dempsey, Alexis Louise Hancock(c)

MU21 8+ James Hoban, Max Mezger, Jack Lawrence, Bronson Hooper, Alexander Clarke, Angus

Maloney, Lennart Schiesswohl, Alexander Wolf, James Rook(c)

Above: Our men’s youth eight presented with their medals and trophy by proud club member Andrew

Guerin – winners at Barwon at the end of January 2016. Note that there are two sons of past Mercs

rowers in this crew alone.

february 2016 news...february 2016 news above – mercs youth eight win at barwon january 2016 our...

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