Big changes in the Mercs coaching team for 2023 season.

Firstly, Michael McKay has resigned as our senior high-performance coach and we wish him well in his future.

The depth of our coaching panel has been demonstrated by the appointment of our other full time high-performance coach Alistair Matthews to fill the newly created vacancy.

The Club has issued the following statement today.

Mercantile is thrilled to announce that Alistair Matthews has been promoted to the position of Mercantile High Performance Head Coach. Alistair will have overall responsibility for leading our High-Performance Program. Alistair will lead our team of professional coaches, (Sam Fennessy, David Colvin & Annabelle Eaton) and our voluntary High-Performance coaches (Peter Somerville, Tim Frederico, Jason Izydorczyk, Andrew McNeil, Jordan King, William Golding & Jessica Hare). In addition to this leadership role Alistair will have direct coaching responsibility for the open and under 23 men’s squad. 

This will be Alistair’s third season coaching at Mercantile where his focus to date has been on taking the women’s program to terrific results seeing him selected as the winning Victorian Queens Cup coach for the last 2 years and leading exceptional results in para rowing. 

Alistair brings a wealth of experience and a passion for the development of athletes, not just as elite athletes but as well-rounded people equipped with the skills to excel in all aspects of their life. Alistair is extremely well qualified for the role including having a Bachelor of Sports Business Sport and a Graduate Certificates in Commerce from Sydney University & is currently completing a Graduate Certificate of Coaching through University of Queensland as part of a coaching scholarship through Rowing Australia. 

Alistair said: “It’s a privilege to lead such a talented and motivated group of coaches all focused on providing an environment where our athletes are thriving and can focus on making their boats go fast.” 
Over his career Alistair has: 

• coached at Sydney University, Rhodes University & St Andrews College in South Africa. 
• been Head Coach at Melbourne Girls Grammar School setting them up for their recent National Championship winning form; and 
• coached the Australian 2021 under 23 women’s four, Australian 2014 U21 men’s team, and Australian 2013 U19 men’s quad. 

The Club is very pleased to announce the appointment of Annabelle Eaton to head up the women's programme.

Meg Hester welcomes Annabelle Eaton

The following press release has been prepared.

Mercantile is thrilled to announce that Annabelle Eaton has signed on as The Mercantile Women’s Lead Coach.  Annabelle will have overall responsibility for our women’s program and direct coaching responsibility for the under 23 Women’s squad.  

Annabelle brings a wealth of experience and a passion for the development of young women, not just as elite athletes but as well-rounded people equipped with the skills to excel in all aspects of their life.  Annabelle is extremely well qualified for the role including having a Bachelor of Applied Science and a Graduate Diploma of Physical Education from Victoria University.
 
Annabelle said: “I see an exciting season ahead and hope the trajectory will be as positive as the vibes I am experiencing on a daily basis on the front line since joining.”
 
Over her extensive career Annabelle has been:

• A teacher and led the rowing programs at St Catherine’s School and Melbourne Girls Grammar School, coaching first VIII's to HOSG and National Championship wins.
• A 5 times Australian Coach
• Most recently the coach of the Australian U23 Women’s Coxed four which won the gold medal at the World U23 Championships in Varese stroked by Mercantiles own Emmie Frederico.

 Sam Fennessy will once again have direct coaching responsibility for the under 21 Women’s squad. Al Matthews leads our overall high performance program and is Mercantile Men’s Lead Coach with David Colvin having direct coaching responsibility for the under 21 Men’s squad.

Also we are very lucky to continue to have a great team of volunteer coaches who enable our athletes to receive top level assistance. They include Peter Somerville, Tim Frederico, Jason Izydorczyk, Andrew McNeil, Jordan King, William Golding and Jessica Hare. Thank you to these great members.