Emily Sheppard

Emily Sheppard is an emerging talent in Australian women’s sweep rowing, representing New South Wales and Sydney University Boat Club. Born and raised in Sydney, Emily first discovered rowing at Pymble Ladies' College, where she was coached by Karl Schmidt and quickly fell in love with the team-driven challenge of the sport. Although she spent a decade playing netball, it was during Year 12 that she decided to fully commit to rowing, and she hasn't looked back.

In 2023, Emily announced herself on the international stage as part of Australia’s Under 23 Women’s Coxed Four, where she and her crew stormed to a Gold medal at the World Rowing Under 23 Championships. Domestically, she collected multiple national titles in 2023, winning the U23 Women’s Eight and U23 Women’s Four, having also picked up the U23 Women’s Quad Scull title in 2022.

Now in her first year as a National Training Centre Scholar, Emily continues to develop her craft on the bow side. In 2025, she played a key role in ending a long drought for New South Wales in the Queen’s Cup, helping power her state to a breakthrough victory in the Interstate Women’s Eight, a race she calls her most memorable sporting moment.

Off the water, Emily is studying a Bachelor of Primary Education at the University of Sydney, balancing her academic path with elite training. Known among teammates for her calm demeanour and love of puzzling, Emily brings both precision and passion to everything she does. With her eyes set on continued progression and international success, she is a name to watch in the next generation of Australian rowing.