Australian A Team Announced

The Australia A program has been made possible through the more than decade-long transformative support of Hancock Prospecting and the ongoing commitment of Rowing Australia Patron Mrs Gina Rinehart AO. Rowing Australia remains deeply grateful for Mrs Rinehart’s investment in Australian rowing and athlete development, without which opportunities such as the Australia A program would not be possible.

The 2026 Australia A Team will compete at the Holland Beker Cup in Amsterdam (20–21 June) and World Cup III in Lucerne (26–28 June), providing emerging athletes with the opportunity to gain valuable senior international racing experience and continue their progression towards future Australian Rowing Teams and National Training Centre environments.

The program forms a key component of Rowing Australia’s long-term athlete development strategy and is designed to deepen the national talent pipeline by providing high potential athletes with exposure to international competition. Team membership is primarily targeted at graduating Australian student athletes competing overseas, alongside Australian-based athletes outside of the selected Senior World Cup Tour crews who have achieved benchmark and selection standards. Athletes selected in the Australia A Team remain eligible for consideration for the 2026 World Rowing Championships.

The squad includes athletes currently studying and competing in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia, highlighting the growing depth of Australian rowing talent internationally.

Among those selected is Alexander “Lex” McClean (NSW), who this year won The Boat Race with Cambridge University and was a member of Australia’s fourth-placed Men’s Eight at the 2025 World Championships.

Joining the team are Under 23 medallists Ben Scott (WA) from Harvard University and Alex Baroni (WA) from the University of California, Berkeley. The women’s squad includes returning Rowsella Sophie Houston (NSW) from the 2025 Women’s Eight, who is currently studying at the University of Washington, alongside Under 23 medallist Sarah Marriott (VIC), who is attending Stanford University.

Rowing Australia Performance Director Paul Thompson said the Australia A program continues to provide an important bridge between pathway rowing and senior international representation.

“The squad represents an exciting mix of talent and provides athletes with the opportunity to experience senior international rowing while creating a pathway towards opportunities within the National Training Centres and future Australian Rowing Teams,” Thompson said.

“The depth we continue to build across the program is critical as we look towards the 2026 World Championships, Los Angeles 2028 and ultimately Brisbane 2032.”

The support of the Australian Sports Commission and Australian Institute of Sport continues to be instrumental to the success and ongoing evolution of Rowing Australia and our high performance program, and we are deeply grateful for their partnership and commitment to our athletes, coaches, and system.

Click here for the Team Lists

Event schedule

For more information on the Australia A program and national team selection, visit rowingaustralia.com.au/national-team-selection.