Mercantile has been buzzing with activity this month, with Henley preparations in full swing and our winter training program well underway. It was a pleasure to have our new Head Coach, Scott Rowe, visit the club for two days before heading to Europe to coach the Australia A Team at World Cups I and II. During his time in Melbourne, Scott connected with Noel Donaldson (Director of Coaching), David “Chipper” Colvin, Ed Ryan (Youth Men’s Coach), Tom Courtney (Director of Coaching), and Alex Clarke (Club Captain). We wish Scott every success in his international coaching role and look forward to his return in July, bringing valuable insights from the global stage.
School Leaver Scholarships
As part of our long-term 2032 Strategy, the Committee is proud to introduce the Mercantile School Leaver Scholarships (SLS) — a new initiative supporting young athletes in their transition from school to high-performance rowing.
Eight scholarships valued at $2,000 each (four for female athletes and four for male athletes) will be awarded annually to development athletes aiming for U21 state selection, with aspirations to represent Australia at the U19, U21, U23, or Senior level.
The SLS is open to both existing and new members of Mercantile Rowing Club. We are incredibly grateful to the members who have already pledged their support for this initiative. If you would like to be part of supporting the next generation of Mercantile athletes, please reach out to me directly at president@mercantile.org.au.
Uniform and the New Mercantile Shop
We’re excited to announce the launch of the Mercantile Shop — a new on-site initiative designed to make uniforms more accessible and convenient for our athletes and members. No more waiting for online orders to arrive — gear will now be available directly at the club.
The shop will stock:
- 776BC Zoot Suits
- Mercantile Hoodies
- Hats and Visors
- Short- and Long-Sleeve Training Tops
- Supporters T-Shirts
To strengthen our shared identity and sense of team spirit, we are proud to offer every active rowing member a complimentary Mercantile T-shirt upon payment of their 2025/2026 subscription. This includes members across Junior Development, School Leaver, Coxswain, Senior, Senior Active, and High Performance categories. Shirts will be available for collection at the club — keep an eye out for a sneak peek in this newsletter!
As we continue to build a strong and unified team culture, the following uniform items will be required for the 2025/2026 season:
- Mercantile T-shirt (provided with membership)Mercantile Hoodie
- Mercantile Visor or Hat
- 776BC Zoot-Suit
We look forward to seeing our athletes and supporters proudly wearing the Mercantile colours — both on and off the water.
Thank you to all members, coaches, volunteers, and supporters who make this club what it is. Your commitment ensures Mercantile continues to grow and thrive, from the Yarra to the world stage.
Gina Peele – President