Jack O’Brien

NSW | Sydney University Boat Club

New South Welshman, Jack O'Brien, was selected to represent Australia at the U23 World Rowing Championships, alongside Andrew Judge, in 2018. The duo raced at both the 2018 World Rowing Cup 3 and also at the U23 event in the Men's Pair, finishing seventh overall in the latter event. The duo were then selected to represent Australia at the 2018 World Rowing Championships in the Men's Pair. O'Brien was selected in the Men’s Eight for the rescheduled 2020 Olympic Games.  The crew made the A-Final and finished in 6^th place.

Jack is coached by Don McLachlan at Sydney University Boat Club and names After Sun Comes Rain - by Solomon as his favourite song to listen to pre-racing.

For the 2022 international season, O’Brien was selected in the Men’s Coxless Four.

The crew won the Gold Medal at the World Cup II regatta held in Poznan, Poland.At the last two major international regattas of 2022 - World Cup III (Lucerne, Switzerland) and the 2022 World Championships held in Račice, Czech Republic - the Four qualified for the respective A Finals and won a Silver Medal.

In 2023, Joseph was again the unlucky man to miss out when Alexander Hill returned to the men's four. Illustrating again why he is a ‘Jack of all trades’, he once more was selected for the men's eight for the 2023 season.

However, before Joseph could race again in the eight, he competed alongside Angus Dawson in the men's pair at the World Rowing Cup II. Impressive performances throughout the competition saw the pair claim a bronze medal.

The World Rowing Cup III saw Joseph return to the men's eight. After progressing to the final, the Australian team were locked in a tense battle with heavy favorites Great Britain. After a tense race the Australian shot out from the 1000m mark to claim a stunning upset victory.

Throughout 2024, Joseph has continued to train and compete in the men's eight. He featured in the crew's fourth place finish at the World Rowing Cup II in May.

Jack currently sits in the stroke seat of the Men's Coxed Eight.