Sadly the awards were virtual this year with the awards handed out to awardees outside the AGM.

Captain’s Trophy
This is awarded annually to the member who has won the most regatta and Club races during the season on the basis of one point for a win with one additional point for any championship. Will Legge, Alexander Kinsella, Carl Tomczak. A stellar effort from these clubbies to take out the Captain’s Trophy.

Megahn Hester poses with Will Legge and Alexander Kinsella after presenting them with their Captain's trophies

Carl with his medal and sporting the Club Regatta Blazer and his C19 hair style

Max Bailey Trophy
This trophy for the champion coxswain has been won by Hayley Verbunt.

Hayley Verbunt with both awards

Dr R A Cooper Memorial Trophy
This trophy is made available by the generosity of the family of the Late Dr R A Cooper and is awarded annually to the member who, during the year has rendered the most outstanding service to the Club.
For the 2020/21 season, the Dr R A Cooper Memorial Trophy is awarded to Anthony Bergelin for his exemplary assistance coaching the U21 men’s squad from part way through the season to the National championships and for his commitment to the Club program from October. See above for image.

N W Cairnes Trophy
This trophy is awarded to the most improved coxswain of the season.
For the 2020/21 season, the NW Cairnes Trophy is awarded to Hayley Verbunt.

Jeff Wylie Memorial Trophy
The Perpetual Shield and Trophy for the most improved lightweight rower was donated by the management and staff of Edward Lumley and Sons Pty Ltd and is awarded annually in memory of the late Jeff Wylie, a former Captain of the Club.
For the 2020/21 season, the Jeff Wylie Memorial Trophy is awarded to Dom Frederico. A big congratulations to all our lightweight rowers this season, it is so great to see a strong number. Dom came from BGS to first year club rowing at Mercantile leaving with a medal from the senior lightweight men’s team. Not an easy jump.

Dom Frederico and the Jeff Wylie Memorial Trophy

F R Browne Memorial Trophy
The Perpetual Shield and Trophy is donated by the family of the Late F R Browne for presentation to the most improved oarsman.
For the 2020/21 season, the F R Browne Memorial Trophy is awarded to Ben Canham for his efforts in making it to the Olympic trials and a narrow miss on making the team.

Ben Canham and award, also sporting another C19 hairstyle

H R Frederico Memorial Trophy
This trophy, made available by the Late Honourable Justice H R Frederico, is awarded annually to the most improved oarswoman at the Club.
For the 2020/21 season, the H R Frederico Memorial Trophy is awarded to Olivia Sargeant.

Olivia Sargeant and her award

Keith Bilney Coaches Trophy
This trophy was established in the memory of Keith Bilney who gave nearly 70 years of service to rowing as a coxswain, sculler, oarsman, administrator but, most of all coach. He gave of his time freely, instilling in his charges a love of the sport, and a burning desire to win, but with a balanced approach to life. The trophy is awarded to the coach that is not necessarily the most successful in terms of race wins, but the one who does the most to teach oarsmen and oarswomen how to row, win races and achieve their potential, and in so doing develop the foundations of the Club and build and maintain the attitudes of sportsmanship, dedication and loyalty.
For the 2020/21 season, the Keith Bilney Coach’s Trophy is awarded to Sam Fennessy for having unwavering faith in his athletes and facilitating their growth throughout the season as well as living the Mercantile values in his everyday actions.

Fennessy and Rook play to the camera with their awards

Jay Loveless Trophy
This trophy was established as a result of a bequest from the estate of the Late Jay Loveless. Jay was the mother of Ricky Loveless, who coxed for the Club Ricky was tragically killed in a road accident while riding to Mercantile and Jay remained a supporter of the Club until her passing in late 2006. It was Jay’s wish that a trophy be established for the Most Outstanding Oarswoman each season.
For the 2020/21 season, the Jay Loveless Trophy is awarded to Jess Morrison for her exceptional Olympic performance and exemplary attitude. Now an Olympic gold medallist and a Mercantile life member, there is no higher honour.

Martin Owen Trophy
With the establishment of the Loveless Trophy, the Committee deemed it appropriate to establish a trophy for the Most Outstanding Oarsman each season.
For the 2020/21 season, the Most Outstanding Oarsman Trophy is awarded to James Rook and Angus Widdicombe on their Olympic debuts.

The Icarus – AKA The Jim Sprigg award for endeavour in rowing.
This trophy (a statue of Icarus), has been made available this year for the first time by the club’s current Performance Director Sam Patten. It is named after Icarus, the son of a Greek legend craftsman. The craftsman created wings made of feathers and wax for them to escape from their Island Prison. Despite instructions from his father not to fly too high, Icarus does so, the wax melts and he falls from the sky and drowns from his effort. This award is won by someone who demonstrates their endeavour or ‘will to win’ despite the odds and despite the actual outcome of their effort.
For the 2020/21 season, the Icarus Trophy is award to Jess Morrison, for her valiant and defiant effort in targeting both the women’s four and pair in Tokyo. Despite the unfortunate change in program, she pressed on.