World Rowing Athletes' Commission: voicing the viewpoints of rowers

This year, World Rowing athletes will, for the first time, have the opportunity to elect members of the World Rowing Athletes Commission. World Rowing spoke with current members Moran Samuel and Hannah Every-Hall to hear more about their roles.

The World Rowing Athletes Commission (AC) serves to represent active elite rowers and to act as a liaison between World Rowing and the elite athlete community, concerning any issues affecting the sport of Rowing. Members serve a four-year term, with the nomination and election process taking place in the 2nd year following the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

In 2022, eligible athletes will be able to, for the first time, participate in the election of the Athletes’ Commission. The AC will comprise ten members, including six representing flatwater rowing, two representing para rowing and two representing coastal rowing. Five members will be elected, with the other five appointed by the Council. The AC Chair, who will have full voting rights as a member of the World Rowing Executive Committee and Council, will now also be selected by AC members and proposed to the Council for appointment. The nomination process is now open and runs until 17 May 2022. The nominations will then undergo eligibility checks by World Rowing, and the candidate list will be published by 17 June 2022.

Current Athletes’ Commission member, and Paralympic Bronze and Silver medallist, Moran Samuel discovered rowing after her basketball career ended due to a rare spinal stroke. Left in a wheelchair, she wanted to find a sport that would allow her to maintain that competitive aspect. She feels her position on the Athletes Commission has helped make an impact on para- owing: “In 2014, during the World Rowing Championship in Amsterdam, I was encouraged by the Head of the Athletes Commission to apply for the Athletes Commission. I felt that it was an important position to make sure para rowers had a voice, and I was happy I was appointed”.

Fellow AC member Hannah Every-Hall rowed for Australia as a lightweight rower, with career highlights including becoming World Rowing Champion in 2002, and being a finalist in the 2012 London Olympics. She reflects on her pride in representing her region of Oceania as an AC member and contributing positively to World Rowing. She says, “I love being around the sport and helping others so that they can thrive. Being a part of the AC is an incredible way to give back to the sport that has given me so much and pave the way forward for the amazing future generation. I feel very privileged to be able to contribute to discussions and the future.”

The Athletes Commission have an influential role in voicing the viewpoints of athletes and scrutinising the decisions of World Rowing. AC members regularly canvass opinions via athlete questionnaires to ensure opinions are heard. Samuel says, “We try to take care of general issues like athletes’ well-being, anti-doping, athlete sponsor spaces and more. As a para rower, I also try to bring to the table issues that are more relevant to our community like accessibility, training time and the number of events.” Every-Hall adds, “We bring up issues such as being innovative to keep the sport progressing, relevant and exciting as we move forward.” Every-Hall also cited fairness in athlete lane selections, elite athlete transition to life post sport and studying better pathways for junior athletes to continue at senior levels as issues being studied by the AC.

The new election and appointment process stems from a suggestion put forward by AC members. Other suggestions have already made a number of positive changes, with examples including: “play true” anti-doping campaigns, providing more no smoking signs around venues, organising well-being webinars, and supporting gender equality policies. AC members have also helped improve the standard of venue accessibility and provide sufficient training time ahead of competitions, needed as the number of para rowing events on the calendar continues to grow to ensure a level playing field.

To make the most impact, Samuel says, it is useful “to think about the athlete community and their needs, and then communicate it to World Rowing.  Once we have a clear agenda, it’s easier to present it to the Board and create changes.” Samuel also values AC members who are persistent and patient, “It’s important to understand that change takes time, and to keep pushing for what we believe athletes can benefit from and the rowing community in general”.

Every-Hall stresses the importance of the AC role. “It is vital that we continue to listen to the athlete’s voice to ensure our sport stays relevant, progressive and innovative in the changing space, and we secure rowing in the Olympic movement.” She also describes the need to represent the unique context of the issues that different federations and regions face.

In terms of who should consider applying for the AC, Every-Hall says, “Anyone who is passionate about the sport, the people, the future, the ongoing relevance.” Samuel agrees, saying, “Someone who is keen to be involved, who feels that an athlete’s voice is important inside a sports organisation and who believes in long-distance journeys.”

AC members will need to be able to commit time to this work, requiring at least two weekends during the year for physical meetings, as well as being available for online calls. The nomination process is now open and runs until 17 May 2022. The nominations will then undergo eligibility checks by World Rowing, and the candidate list will be published by 17 June 2022.

To find out more information about applying, please follow the link here. Current AC member emails are also listed to answer any questions.