Once again Mercantile is providing the rowing community with the best coaches on the water.

Our assistant coach Nick Mitchell has taken up the position of head of rowing at Xavier. Mitch finished up at the club at the end of the month.

Mitch is a long time member of the Mercantile family and has represented Victoria as an oarsman and coach. He led our coaching program in 2018 and 2019 and has an exemplary record of success both at club and representative level.

In 2019 he coached Australia's coxed IV to gold at the World Under 23 Rowing Championships in the US. He’s also had another career as a professional cyclist so he brings some serious sports knowledge to his new job.

We look forward to Mitch continuing to play a role in the club and we wish him all the very best at Xavier.

The club is very pleased to announce Mitch’s successor is Alistair Matthews.

Al joins us after a four year stint as Head Coach Rowing at Melbourne Girls Grammar. He’s had a long and successful career as a coach in Australia and South Africa. He’s also coached national crews so he knows what success is and how to achieve it.

Originally from Sydney, Al was Youth Development Coach at Sydney University Boat Club for 2 years during which he was selected to coach the AUS Junior Men's 4X at the 2013 Junior World Championships and on the 2014 AUS U21 Team. Al then ventured to South Africa coaching at Rhodes University and St Andrews College to great success.

"Mercantile RC has such a proud history in rowing not only in Australia but internationally, I'm really excited to be joining such a strong coaching team and help develop the amazing current and future athletes of the club.”