New-look squads set for global campaign as Under 23 and Rowsellas Teams announced

Rowing Australia has announced the 2026 Under 23 and Senior Australian Rowing Teams, the Rowsellas, following a demanding selection period at the Sydney International Regatta Centre in Penrith.

The selected athletes will represent Australia across the international season, including the World Rowing Cup series in Seville, Plovdiv and Lucerne, before selection of the final team to compete at the 2026 World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, from August 24-30.

The Under 23 team will compete at the World Rowing Under 23 Championships in Duisburg, Germany, from July 23-26.

The announcement marks a critical milestone in the high performance calendar and reinforces the strength of Australia’s rowing system, a system underpinned by more than a decade of support from Hancock Prospecting and by the enduring commitment of Rowing Australia Patron Mrs Gina Rinehart AO.

From trials through to international competition, Hancock Prospecting’s investment continues to play a pivotal role in enabling Australian crews to prepare, perform and succeed against the world’s best.

Rowing Australia Performance Director Paul Thompson MBE said the squad reflects both opportunity and intent.

“We’ve selected a group of athletes and crews that we believe can be highly competitive on the world stage. This is the second year of the LA2028 cycle, and our focus now is on building combinations, gaining race experience through the World Cups, and progressing toward Amsterdam with intent,” Thompson said.

“We’re incredibly fortunate to have the long standing and continued backing of Hancock Prospecting and Mrs Gina Rinehart AO. Their support allows us to run a truly world-class high-performance program and give our athletes every opportunity to succeed.”

The Women’s squad will compete at the Seville and Lucerne legs of the 2026 World Cup series, with the Men’s and Para-Rowing Squads joining for Lucerne. Dual Olympian, past recipient of the Gina Rinehart AO Leadership Award, and New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship holder Tara Rigney returns to international competition in the Women’s Single, alongside new-look Women’s Pair, Four and Eight crews.

Three-time Olympian, and Tokyo Olympic Champion, Alex Hill OAM and Dual Olympian Angus Dawson will feature in the Men’s Coxless pair, with strong combinations named in the Men’s Eight, Quadruple Scull and Four. 2025 World Rowing Championships medallists Erik Horrie and Sam Stunnell have again been selected in the PR1 Men’s Single Scull and PR3 Mixed Double Scull respectively, with Stunnell joined by Ella Marshall in the Double.

The squads feature representation from across the country, including athletes from the state high-performance programs of ACTAS, TIS, QAS, VIS, NSWIS, SASI and WAIS, and club programs nationwide, highlighting the national depth of the sport. Crews will assemble in Europe in the coming months.

The Under 23 squad continues to demonstrate the strength of Australia’s pathway system, with athletes progressing from junior success into international contention, a pathway that remains a key focus of Hancock Prospecting’s investment in the sport. NSWIS athlete Alec Hoskin will feature in the Under 23 Men’s Sweep Squad.

Rowing Australia Head of Pathways Jason Lane said the program continues to produce athletes ready for the next level.

“The progression we’re seeing from Under 19 through to Under 23 and into the Senior team is exactly what we want from a high-performance pathway. These athletes are stepping up ready to compete, and that speaks to the strength of the system,” Lane said.

“That system is underpinned by the support of Hancock Prospecting, who continue to invest in every level of the pathway and ensure our athletes are prepared for international competition.”

With crews now confirmed, attention will turn to race preparation with the World Rowing Under 23 Championships providing key benchmarking opportunities against leading international Under 23 crews. The season will also contribute to building depth in the Australian Rowing Team, as the program progresses to LA Olympics 2028.

The 2026 campaign represents a key step toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with Rowing Australia continuing to prioritise development, performance, and sustained international success.

“Hancock Prospecting’s commitment to high performance is significant. It allows us to prepare properly, race properly, and ultimately perform when it matters most.”

Rowing Australia acknowledges the ongoing and significant contribution of Hancock Prospecting and Mrs Gina Rinehart AO to the sport.

From underpinning the national high-performance system to enabling international campaigns, Hancock Prospecting’s support continues to play a critical role in Australia’s success on the world stage.

Their investment ensures athletes, coaches and staff are equipped with the resources required to perform at the highest level, while also strengthening the pathway system that develops future Rowsellas; a strength displayed clearly in these recent trials.

As Australia builds toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, this partnership remains central to the continued growth and success of the program.

With a balance of experience and emerging talent, and with the backing of one of Australian sport’s most significant partners, the Australian Rowing Team will look to make their mark across the international season.

Rowing Australia also acknowledges the continued support of the Australian Institute of Sport, Australian Sports Commission, and the Australian Government, whose investment plays a vital role in enabling athletes, coaches and programs to perform on the world stage.

NSWIS Scholarship holders selected for the 2026 Australian Senior and Para Rowing Team:

Hannah Cowap (Coxswain) – PR3 Mixed Coxed Four

Hamish Danks – Senior Men’s Single (Spare)

Marcus Della Marta – Senior Men’s Quad Scull

Nicholas Dunlop (Coxswain) – Senior Men’s Eight

Alex Nichol – Senior Men’s Eight

Paddy Holt – Senior Men’s Four

Jackson Kench – Senior Men’s Four

Nikolas Pender – Senior Men’s Four

Henry Blackwell – Senior Men’s Spare

Lachlan Doust – Senior Men’s Spare

Tara Rigney – Senior Women’s Single Scull (For World Cup)

Sarah Fahd – Senior Women’s Quad Scull (For World Cup I)

Emily Sheppard – Senior Women’s Quad Scull (For World Cup I)

Grace Sypher – Senior Women’s Quad Scull (For World Cup I)

Georgina Rowe – Senior Women’s Four (For World Cup I)

Jaime Ford – Senior Women’s Eight (For World Cup I)

Laura Gourley – Senior Women’s Eight (For World Cup I)

Samantha Morton – Senior Women’s Eight (For World Cup I) *

Taylor Caudle – Senior Women’s Spare (For World Cup I)

Zara Collisson – Senior Women’s Spare (For World Cup I) *

* Subject to medical clearance