Stephen Handley OAM

Stephen Handley OAM is an Olympian with more than 50 years of involvement in Australian rowing. He holds McVilly Pearce Pin No. 250.

Stephen has served in senior governance and leadership roles across the sport, including as Director and Deputy President of Rowing NSW, Chair of Rowing Australia’s Rowing in Australia Advisory Group (RiAAG), and Director and Vice President of Sydney Rowing Club. Across these roles he has been closely involved in competition structure, athlete pathways, coach and club engagement, club and coaching strategic planning, and the long-term strategic development of domestic rowing.

As a competitive rower with Sydney Rowing Club and NSW, Stephen won multiple national championships in pairs, fours and eights, took out the King’s Cup in 1977 and 1978, and represented Australia in the men’s eight in 1977, 1978, and at the 1980 Olympic Games. He has coached at senior school and club level for more than 40 years.

Professionally, Stephen co-founded and served as Director of ATI Australia Pty Ltd, a leading telecommunications and electronics engineering company, for almost 30 years, following an earlier career in international commodity trading and structured finance.

Stephen brings to the Rowing Australia Board extensive experience in governance, strategy, and commercial leadership, combined with a deep commitment to domestic rowing development, athlete pathways, and the competitor experience.