Mercantile again figured prominently at the Rowing Australian Awards with two pathways awards and life membership for Patrick McNamara.

The Pathways Coach of the Year, which recognizes the integral part the Pathways Program plays in developing the future talent of Australian rowing, went to two coaches – Mercantile RC’s Annabelle Eaton and UTS Haberfield BC’s Judith Ungemach. 

Annabelle Eaton with her award

Eaton’s Under 23 Women’s Coxed Four and Ungemach’s Under 19 Men’s Coxed Four both won Gold Medals at their respective World Championship regattas in July 2022. 

Pathways Athlete of the Year was also presented to two winners – the Under 23 Women’s Coxed Four (Isabella Scammell, Samantha Morton, Emma Wilson, Emmie Frederico, and Nicholas Dunlop), and the Under 19 Men’s Coxed Four (Brandon Smith, Joe Lynch, Josh Wilson, Oliver St Pierre, and Ryder Taylor).   

Emmis Frederico second from the right as a member of the World Champoionship Under 23 four

Patrick McNamara was recognised for his amazing achievements to the sport and to Rowing Australia being awarded a life membership. 

Patrick at the 2022 Nationals

Life Membership of Rowing Australia (RA) is the sport’s highest honour. It is reserved for those who have demonstrated significant, sustained, and high-quality service that enhances the reputation and future of rowing by virtue of their considerable contribution to rowing nationally.  

At the recent Board meeting and the closely followed 2022 Hancock Prospecting Rower of The Year Awards, former Rowing Australia President, Patrick McNamara was awarded, and then announced to the community, his RA Life Membership.    

Patrick’s contribution to rowing and society led him to the appointment of many sports’ leadership roles.  From 2001 to 2005, he was the President of the Commonwealth Rowing Association, as well as the Chairman of the Oceania Rowing Association from 2010 to 2014.    

In 2000, Patrick was appointed as the President of Rowing Australia – a position which he held for nine successful years.  During that period, Rowing Australia faced some challenges from its European counterparts, who were lobbying for certain changes that would have put Australia at a disadvantage.  Patrick used his personality, influence, and contacts to ensure that all nations and groups achieved a mutual agreement on a set of outcomes. 

Patrick also hired professionals from outside the sport which produced a high level of long-term government support and funding.  Through these financial grants, Rowing Australia was able to implement many new High-Performance initiatives that led the Australian Rowing team to win three Olympic Medals – two Gold Medals and one Silver Medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, this was on top of the two Silver Medals from the 2008 Paralympic Games.  Australia was ranked as the second most successful rowing nation in the 2005-2008 Olympic quadrennium.  

Patrick's rowing profile can be found through this link.