With the conclusion of the 2025 Australian Rowing Championships, our focus now shifts to winter training, Henley Royal Regatta, and the newly confirmed Oceania Teams Rowing Championship—a fantastic new opportunity for U22 athletes across the region.
Amid these exciting developments, we also mark a significant transition for Mercantile’s High Performance Program as we bid a bittersweet farewell to Head Coach Nick Lloyd. Nick’s dedication, energy, and leadership have left a lasting legacy at Mercantile. On behalf of the entire athlete group and club, we thank him sincerely and wish him every success in his next chapter with the Swiss Rowing Team.
Australian Rowing Team Trials – April 2025
April saw the running of trials for the 2025 Australian Rowing Team, held over an intensive 10-day selection period. The process involved small boat racing, seat racing, and a speed order time trial in final combinations.
Ten Mercantile athletes earned the opportunity to trial:
- Emmie Frederico – Senior Women’s Sweep
- Paige Barr – Senior Women’s Sweep
- Hayley Verbunt – Senior Women’s Coxswain
- Fergus Hamilton – Senior Men’s Sweep
- Jack Robertson – Senior Men’s Sweep
- Austin Reinehr – Senior Men’s Sweep
- Dom Frederico – Senior Men’s Sculling
- Oliver Scalzo – U23 Men’s Sweep
- Anna Morrison – U23 Women’s Sweep
- Mackenzie Kopke-Veldhuis – U19 Women’s Sweep
At the conclusion of the trials, six Mercantile athletes were named to the 2025 Australian Rowing Team:
- Senior Women’s Sweep: Hayley Verbunt (cox), Emmie Frederico, Paige Barr
- Senior Men’s Sweep: Austin Reinehr, Fergus Hamilton, Jack Robertson
We congratulate these outstanding athletes and look forward to watching them represent Australia in the green and gold.
Henley Royal Regatta – July 2025
Preparations are now in full swing for Mercantile’s Henley Royal Regatta campaign, with final crews selected and training intensifying through May and June. This year, Mercs will send three boats to compete on the world’s most prestigious rowing stage:
- Women’s Club 8+ – Wargrave Challenge Cup
- Junior Women’s 8+ – Prince Philip Challenge Trophy
- Junior Women’s Quad Scull – Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup (in partnership with Gippsland Grammar)
We also look forward to seeing Mercantile’s Senior National Team members racing at Henley as part of the Australian representative crews.
Thank you to our volunteer coaches and support staff guiding this next generation of athletes toward elite international experience. Mercs will be proudly cheering them on.
Jordan Roberts – HP Athlete/Committee Member
