2026 ROWING AUSTRALIA COACHES CONFERENCE

Hayley Verbunt OLY

Olympic cox Hayley Verbunt kicks off the Coaching Conference with her coxing journey. Hear the strategies she developed to improve as a cox, and the role that coaching and feedback from coaches played in her rise to the top.

Nick Bartlett & Cameron Kennedy

With a wealth of success at international, national, and all levels of school coaching, Nick Bartlett and Cameron Kennedy share their knowledge of the culture and practices that coaches and programs can implement to drive repeatable successes.

Michelle de Highden, Beth Bryan, Hally Chapman and Nadia Bleaken

AIS High-Performance Coach Development Lead Michelle de Highden delivers a round table with TIS Head Coach Nadia Bleaken, SASI Head Coach Beth Bryan, and 2026 U23 World Championship coach Hally Chapman on how to seize development opportunities to advance your coaching

John Driessen, Nick Mitchell & Duncan Free

The former Olympic best-time coach in the quad scull, the current Australian quad scull coach, and an Olympic medallist in the quad come together to discuss what makes quad sculls move fast and efficiently. You'll go back to your program with impactful knowledge on technique, training, and setup to improve performance.

Lieutenant Colonel Liz Stephens

In this enlightening presentation, Lt. Col. Liz Stephens shares the strategies that support the ADF to engage with and develop the next generation of recruits. You'll learn how the changing needs and outlook of young people have led to changes in the ADF's practices and how you can take these learnings to your daily practice.

Nicolo Maurogiovanni & Randall Martin

Randall Martin, coach of Queensland's first winning King's Cup crew in 87 years, and Nicolo Maurogiovanni, coach of Australia's Men's 8, discuss the technique, team building, and training that build fast 8s. You'll gain knowledge that delivers results.  

Andrew Service

First 8 Coach at Brisbane Boys' College and former HP Manager for Rowing Queensland, Andrew has used his PhD to create a coaching framework designed to achieve three key outcomes:

• Help sporting environments intentionally develop resilient, healthy, and connected young people.
• Translate research into practical coaching behaviours.
• Support coach education and organisational development.

   

Christine MacLaren & Caz Pijpers

Australian para coaches Christine Maclaren and Caz Pijpers share their experiences as para coaches, and how it has developed them as coaches. They cover how para athletes add value to you as a coach and to your club/school.

Paul Thompson, James Harris, Xavier Dorfman and Nadia Bleaken

National Team coaches share their learnings on what moving overseas to coach gave their careers. Learn from both their successes and their challenges in coaching in different countries and cultures, and what they've brought to Australia from those experiences. Interested in taking your career to another country and another level? This is essential learning.

John Smyth & Wade Hall Craggs

John brings a wealth of experience in coaching roles across schools including   leading The Southport School to five successive Old Boys' Cup trophies at the QLD GPS Head of the River, and Wade's results at St. Peter's Adelaide build upon his 20 years of success as Head Coach of Durham University (UK). Together, they'll talk on how their approaches to coaching school and youth athletes have changed over time and what they've learned.

Jason Lane

Fresh from leading the Australian Pathways program to a successful season at Junior and U23 World Rowing Championships, Rowing Australia's Head of Pathways presents on the importance of setting benchmarks and standards within your school or club. You'll walk away with the knowledge of what benchmarks mean for your program, and how to implement them effectively.

Bourby Webster & Hayley Verbunt

As a professional musician and cox, Bourby Webster brings a vision of rhythm in rowing to life. In conversation with current Women's 8 cox Hayley Verbunt, Bourby pursues how an understanding of rhythm and a creative approach can yield dividends for your crews. Prepare to challenge your preconceptions and walk away with new tools for your toolbox.  

Scott Fairweather "The Renovator"

From the NRL to the AFL to Rowing Australia, Scott brings over 10 years working in elite sport with some of the biggest names in Australian sport. His background across sport, military service, and business gives him practical insight into how to challenge, support, and grow athletes across a wide range of backgrounds. Scott's presentation covers what he's learned from young athletes and what they need, giving you ways to grow your program's participants and culture.

Dr. Liam McCarthy

Our keynote speaker has developed and implemented coach development programs for British Swimming, the Premier League, and a host of world-leading sporting bodies. He's passionate about coach education that fits the individual, the sport, and the program they're part of. Liam's keynote will help you to challenge coaching norms and to help you and the coaches you work with by enabling development that supports both their needs and your program's needs. He delivers on our conference theme: going beyond rowing to deliver impact!

Keaton Guymer & SIA

Need support to navigate the changing landscape of child safeguarding at your club or school? Rowing Australia's Integrity Manager Keaton Guymer guides you through the updates and the resources coaches need to deliver a safe program.

Paul Thompson

As a very successful coach of multiple Olympic champion crews, Paul Thompson, RA's High-Performance Director, has a unique understanding of how training shapes athlete adaptation. Our closing speaker provides real and actionable insights into how to develop, implement, and manage training that drives adaptation for all of your crews.