Olympic gold medallist and one of Australia’s most accomplished rowers, Duncan Free OAM, has joined Rowing Australia as its new General Manager – High Performance.
Free, who competed at four Olympic Games, famously winning gold in the Men’s Coxless Pair at Beijing 2008, steps into the role at a pivotal time for Australian rowing.
His appointment follows the end-of-cycle review and organisational restructure aimed at strengthening the High Performance program as the sport builds towards Los Angeles 2028.
Rowing Australia CEO Sarah Cook OLY said Free’s experience as an athlete, coach, and a leader in Australian sport made him the ideal candidate to take the program forward.
"Duncan’s appointment is a major win for our High Performance program," Cook said.
"His understanding of what it takes to succeed at the highest level, both as an athlete and as a strategic leader, will be invaluable as we shape this Olympic and Paralympic cycle.
“His deep knowledge of Australian rowing, combined with his broader leadership experience, will ensure our high-performance program has the best possible support to perform on the world stage."
Since retiring from elite competition, Free has built an impressive career in sports administration and athlete development.
He served as Director of Sports Engagement at Griffith University, overseeing strategic programs and High Performance partnerships, and in 2024 was elected to the Board of Commonwealth Games Australia, further cementing his influence in Australian sport.
In his new role, Free will be working with High Performance Director, Paul Thompson, and Head of Pathways, Jason Lane to drive and implement Rowing Australia’s High-Performance strategy and engage with key stakeholders across the Australian sporting ecosystem.
"Rowing has given me so much throughout my life and I’m excited to step into this role and contribute to the next generation of success," Free said.
"Australian rowing has a proud history of performance on the world stage and I’m looking forward to working with the incredible athletes, coaches and staff to help shape the future of the program."
Free will officially commence in the role full-time on Monday, February 3.