Ellie Brown appointed as Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement Lead at Rowing Australia

Ellie Brown will become Rowing Australia’s (RA) new Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement Lead, strengthening RA’s commitment to holistic athlete support across all levels of the high performance pathway.

Ellie brings a unique blend of academic, professional and sporting experience to the role and will ensure RA continues it's pursuit of the Win Well High Performance Strategy, which prioritises performance and wellbeing as twin pillars of success.

"We’re excited to welcome Ellie to Rowing Australia as she builds on the excellent work already underway," General Manager High Performance Duncan Free OAM said. 

"Her integration into the High Performance team will enable close, daily interaction with the athletes, providing consistent and valuable support both on and off the water."

A psychology graduate from the University of Western Australia and holder of a Master’s in Business Psychology, Brown has developed a career centred on human behaviour, motivation and personal development.

Her transition from Human Resources into athlete wellbeing was inspired by a desire to have a more meaningful and direct impact on people’s lives.

Brown’s personal connection to rowing began during her boarding school years and continued into university, giving her an authentic understanding of the sport’s physical and mental demands.

“This role at Rowing Australia felt like the perfect alignment of my passions, combining my love for the sport with my commitment to athlete wellbeing,” Brown said.

“It’s an exciting opportunity to give back to a community that’s been such an important part of my life.”

Her appointment comes at a time when athlete wellbeing is increasingly recognised as a key to sustainable high performance.

Ellie's proactive and athlete-led philosophy focuses on empowering athletes to thrive in and beyond sport.

Brown will work closely with coaches, staff and the broader high performance team to ensure wellbeing is integrated into every level of RA's system.