Australia’s representation on the international stage is set to increase with the appointment of Sarah Cook OLY to two positions within World Rowing.
Rowing Australia’s (RA) Chief Operating Officer (COO) has been named the Oceania Representative to the World Rowing Council and has also accepted a position on the Coastal Rowing Commission.
The two-time Olympian (Beijing 2008 and London 2012) and former RA Board Member will serve an initial one-year term as Continental Representative and an initial two-year term on the Coastal Rowing Commission. Cook follows in the footsteps of John Coates AC who has also served as the Oceania Representative to the World Rowing Council.
A former Elected Director on the RA Board, Cook resigned from the role in 2021 to take on the COO position within the RA Leadership Team.
RA CEO Ian Robson said the positive impact of Cook’s appointments would be felt within Australia and beyond.
“I’d like to congratulate Sarah on being appointed the Oceania representative to the World Rowing Council and Coastal Rowing Commission. I know that Sarah will be an excellent advocate and will work hard to promote the interests of rowing for the whole of the Oceania region.
“Equally, Sarah’s passion and interest for Coastal Rowing will be warmly welcomed at an international level. As Rowing Australia embarks on the hosting of the inaugural Coastal Rowing and Beach Sprints Championships in 2022, close ties to our international federation will be important and go a long way as we seek to attract new participants to our sport,” Robson concluded.
Cook is pleased to be joining World Rowing in this capacity.
“I’m delighted to be appointed to the World Rowing Council and look forward to representing World Rowing in our region and to continue growing and developing our sport. Oceania has some incredible opportunities ahead, not only were New Zealand and Australia the top two nations respectively at the Tokyo Olympic Games, but it’s wonderful to see the sport growing throughout the Pacific Islands.
“Our region is looking to capitalise on the 10-year runway into the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the growing disciplines of Coastal and Indoor Rowing along with our more traditional offerings will provide greater accessibility, diversity and engagement with the sport over the next two decades,” Cook concluded.
Cook joins a host of Australians serving on World Rowing Council and Commission positions, including:
- Jaime Fernandez – Youth Rowing Commission
- Gordon Marcks – Para Rowing Commission
- Hannah Every-Hall – Athletes Commission
- Conny Draper – Equipment and Technology Commission
- Nick Hunter – Umpiring Commission