Rowing Australia’s new CEO Sarah Cook has done it all in the sport. Photo Rowing Australia Facebook.
Eleven years ago, Sarah Cook was a member of the so-called ‘Motley Crew’ Australian women’s 8 as they battled officialdom in their quest to qualify the boat for the 2012 London Olympics.
Rowing Australia, believing there wasn’t enough talent to qualify the 8 for the London Olympics, initially failed to support the crew.
Following a public campaign, which effectively pitted them against officialdom, Rowing Australia relented and the ‘Motley Crew’ was given an opportunity to qualify.
To make it through, they had to finish at the top in the final Olympic qualifying regatta in Lucerne. History shows they won the race, beating the highly fancied German combination by over three seconds.
The irony isn’t lost on Sarah Cook as she prepares to take on Rowing Australia’s new CEO role. But as she points out, it is a far different organisation these days.
Her appointment as the first female CEO of Rowing Australia is a testament to the evolution of the administration of the sport.
“On one hand, you would like to think that gender doesn’t play a part, but I’m becoming aware of what this appointment means to women in sport. I have been reached out to by a number of women in rowing indicating how important it is to them.”
Sarah has become known as a world-class rowing commentator. Photo: Supplied.
For Sarah, navigating the sports administration pathway has taken plenty of hard work.
But many people have encouraged her along the way, especially her family.
“Mum and Dad have been my greatest supporters,” says Sarah. “I wouldn’t be where I am without them.”
But there has also been a certain amount of strategy in the roles she has taken on at both a paid and voluntary level.
One important stepping stone was her appointment as Rowing Australia’s Chief Operating Officer two years ago.
Even then, she had to be convinced to take on that role.
There was further persuasion when Ian Robson announced he was stepping down as CEO after an impressive reign guiding the sport.
“It was probably a little sooner than I expected,” Sarah explained.
“I went through a lengthy and exhaustive process before I was appointed as the CEO.”
It is an exhilarating time to be the CEO of an Olympic sport in Australia. In just nine years, Brisbane will be hosting the 2032 Olympics.
The sport faces plenty of challenges, including broadening the participation base.
Sarah Cook has taken on the role of head rowing coach at Canberra Grammar. Photo: Supplied.
Sarah has a great understanding of what is required having fulfilled practically every position on offer in the sport: junior athlete, senior athlete, two-time Olympian, rowing club president, coach, state councillor, Rowing Australia board member, head of school rowing, commentator, and the Continental Representative on the World Rowing Council.
On the day of this interview, Sarah had just arrived in London to fulfil her role as a steward at the Henley Royal Regatta.
“I will be stepping down from a number of external roles to focus on Rowing Australia, but I’ll keep Henley as it is great for networking, as well as having an Australian presence.”
That Australian presence includes fellow former Canberra junior rower Olympic gold medal-winning coach Paul Thompson, who is now Australian rowing’s performance director.
Sarah Cook (centre) when she was COO of Rowing Australia, with Paul Thompson and Kath Gaffney. Photo: Rowing Australia Facebook.
“Thommo and I make a great team. I watched his success with the British rowing team. There’s nobody globally who understands what is required to achieve success better than him.”
At 38 years of age, Sarah has emerged as one of the most dynamic leaders in sport in this country. It hasn’t always been smooth sailing, but her background will ultimately prove to be of enormous benefit to Australian rowing.
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