Rowing Australia has paid tribute to Dennis Hatcher, a champion rower, administrator and sporting visionary who passed away in June after a battle with cancer.
Dr Hatcher was a driving force behind the Australian Institute of Sport, serving as Assistant Director from 2002-2009, where he earned a reputation as an influential high-performance administrator dedicated to athletes, coaches and sports science.
He was a national selector for Rowing Australia and introduced analysis and science to the process in a calculated effort to produce better results.
He also co-authored a plan used by rowing and other sports titled The Model of Excellence, which proposed the way to achieve success at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000.
Colin Smith, former President of Rowing Australia, said Dr Hatcher’s loss would be felt keenly throughout the sport.
"I had the pleasure of rowing with Dennis in the Australian Lightweight VIII for a Bronze Medal at the World Rowing Championships,” Mr Smith said.
“We then rowed together in 1979, winning the Penrith Cup in a boil-over, and then also winning the Lightweight Eight at the Nationals. Dennis was superb to row with excellent skills. We will all really miss him."
Rowing Australia extends it sincerest condolences to Dr Hatcher’s family and friends in this difficult time.