Rowing Australia announces launch of Flavia Gobbo OAM Bursary

A new initiative aimed at nurturing the growth and development of Australia's future champions has been named in honour of Flavia Gobbo OAM, a stalwart of Australian rowing.

The bursary seeks to alleviate the challenges faced by young rowers as they balance the demands of training, study, and work while aspiring for international representation.

"James and I are proud to support the development of rowers in the Pathway program. Both as a Rowing Australia Board member and on a personal level, having had a number of elite rowers in the family, I understand the challenges of coping with the demands of training, studying and working while on their journey to international representation,” Ms Gobbo said.

“If we are able to support some athletes to make this time a little easier and perhaps stay in the program, then we will have achieved our objective."

The bursary will award two $5000 grants annually to one male and one female athlete demonstrating outstanding potential and commitment to the sport.

Eligible candidates must be selected onto a Rowing Australia Underage Team, including but not limited to the Under 19 World Championships Team, the Under 21 Trans-Tasman Team, or the Under 23 World Championships Team, and be Australian citizens.

This initiative underscores Rowing Australia's commitment to fostering the next generation of Australian rowing talents, enabling them to achieve selection to Senior World Championships and Olympic Games teams.

" I'm sure I speak on behalf of Pathway rowers when I say we are exceptionally grateful to Flavia and James for setting up The Flavia Gobbo OAM Bursary. It’s a boost for the development of our emerging rowers who have ambitions for LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032. It will enable them to better navigate the competing demands that life, study, and rowing brings," Rowing Australia Performance Director Paul Thompson said.

Applications for the bursary will open after the 2024 junior selection trials. The selection process will be overseen by Rowing Australia's Performance Director, Head of Pathways and Chief Executive Officer, who will determine a shortlist. The Bursary Manager will make the final decision within one month of the application closing date.

For more information on The Flavia Gobbo OAM Bursary and the application process click here.