ROWING NEW ZEALAND / ANNUAL REPORT 2020
CHAIRMAN AND CEO REPORT 2020 T GERRY DWYER, Chairman of the Board
SIMON PETERSON, Chief Executive
he year in review will be historic for what did not happen, as much as for what was able to be achieved prior to a COVID-19 lockdown. The Rocket Foods New Zealand Rowing Championships became a solitary ‘main event’ for the calendar year, with the Aon Maadi Cup, Aon New Zealand University Rowing Championships, New Zealand Masters Rowing Championships and all international regattas sadly cancelled. HIGH PERFORMANCE We worked with our elite athletes and coaches to ensure their training and support continued away from Lake Karapiro throughout New Zealand’s lockdown. Our sincere thanks go to HPSNZ for continuing elite athlete’s PEG payments throughout this time, HPSNZ funding also allowed our programme to continue, albeit without international travel at any level. HPSNZ provided early and clear communication that our support would be extended into 2021. Our athlete representative group (ARG) provided guidance on our 2021 planning, and in consultation with our coaches and staff we enter 2021 with a postponed 2020 Olympics now scheduled for July 2021. DOMESTIC The rowing community adapted quickly to 2020’s challenges through multiple indoor rowing challenges with Commonwealth countries, including the introduction of the ANZAC Indoor Rowing Challenge supported by the Colgan Foundation, which will remain on the domestic —1—
rowing calendar for years to come. Our Coach Development education programmes were hosted online for the majority of 2020 which has allowed for wider participation across the country. A very significant change was the first ever virtual AGM but we were pleased to hold the Whole of Sport forum as a face to face meeting in the Waikato in October. MANAGEMENT 2020 saw the departure of Chief Operating Officer Rachelle Stoddart after 10 years, throughout which she provided outstanding leadership in the commercial and financial management of Rowing NZ. Tim Wilson departed our Domestic team after three years as Rowing Coordinator, and Jared Cummings undertook Rebecca Beattie’s Coach Development role throughout her maternity leave. South Island Rowing’s Trevor and Cath Wilson completed a wonderful tenure looking after all aspects of rowing at Lake Ruataniwha. Doctor Chris Milne retired after many years of wonderful medical support to an ever growing HP programme. Chris was appropriately acknowledged by our athletes and staff having cared for our athletes and teams both within New Zealand and throughout multiple tours. We thank them all for their fantastic contribution to Rowing NZ. PARTNERSHIPS We are very grateful and respectful of having Rocket Foods and Aon recommit to 2021 and the
