Rowing Australia has appointed Will Beedham as its new General Manager Commercial, commencing June 10, 2025.
Will brings a wealth of experience from across both the rowing and commercial landscape, having held senior roles with Melbourne University Boat Club, Pulteney Grammar School and most recently at Flicket, a sports-focused international events tech solution.
His background spans partnership and operations management, digital growth, sponsorship strategy and business development, skills that will be instrumental in strengthening Rowing Australia’s commercial position in the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
A former rower himself, Will has a connection to the sport over 17 years that includes hands-on experience at clubs, universities and schools both in Australia and overseas. Many will know Will as a familiar face at Henley Royal Regatta and in the Australian rowing community, where he hopes to continue to work collaboratively with stakeholders, partners and supporters alike to further strengthen these relationships.
His lived experience in rowing brings an authentic perspective to his new leadership role, with an appreciation for the values and traditions of the sport.
Rowing Australia CEO Sarah Cook welcomed the appointment.
“We’re very happy to welcome Will as our new General Manager Commercial,” Cook said.
“Will’s deep roots in rowing, combined with his recent experience across the commercial and tech sectors, make him uniquely positioned to drive our strategic growth.
“His passion for the sport and sharp commercial acumen will be a tremendous asset to Rowing Australia.”
Will shared his excitement for joining Rowing Australia at a time of momentum and opportunity.
“Rowing has played a key part in my life since I first stepped in a boat at age 13," he said.
"I remain inspired by the athletes, coaches and the communities I’ve been lucky enough to work with and look forward to contributing to the success of Rowing Australia by building an enduring commercial structure to support our current and future teams through to 2032 and beyond.”
In his new role, Will is responsible for leading RA’s commercial portfolio across sponsorships, licensing, brand partnerships and business development.
He will be based between Canberra, Penrith and Sydney, working closely with the high performance, sport development and events teams to deliver aligned, strategic outcomes.
We warmly welcome Will to the team and look forward to the impact he will bring as we head into a milestone period for Australian rowing.