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The Hidden Champions: Uncovering Rowing New Zealand’s Support Network
Behind every Rowing New Zealand boat we all see on the water, competing or training, is a world-class team working just as hard.
At Rowing New Zealand, success isn't built on athletes alone; it's the collective strength, skill, and dedication of the Team Behind the Team that drives every performance. These are the coaches, support staff, and specialists who ensure our athletes can perform at their very best, every day.
Now, let's meet some of the incredible people who make it all happen.
Coaches:
Huge contributors to Rowing New Zealand's success are its coaches -strategists, technical experts, mentors, and motivators rolled into one. They craft training plans that strike a balance between precision and adaptability, helping athletes reach peak performance at exactly the right time. Whether it's fine‑tuning technique on Lake Karapiro or analysing race footage with the crews, the coaching staff are constantly looking for marginal gains and "one percenters".
James Coote has coached women's sculling for a number of years with outstanding results - guiding the women's double to a silver medal in Tokyo, and then to Olympic gold last year in Paris. This season, he coaches both women's doubles and now leads a highly promising women's quad that will race at the World Championships in Shanghai. James' depth of experience, unwavering commitment, and ability to get the best out of his athletes make him an invaluable member of the team behind the team.
James (centre) at 2025 world Cup - Varese with Ella Cossill (left) and Sophie Egnot-Johnson (right)
Calvin Ferguson, also known as Ferg, is another outstanding coach at Rowing NZ, bringing with him two decades of experience as an athlete before moving into coaching. Since then, Ferg has built an impressive track record on the international stage. His standout achievement came at the London Olympics, where he guided Nathan Cohen and Joseph Sullivan to gold in the men's double sculls. More recently, he coached the New Zealand U23 men's eight to a silver medal at the 2025 U23 World Championships. With his wealth of experience and proven success at the highest level, Ferg is a highly valued member of the team behind-the-team.
Tom Stannard has quickly built an impressive reputation at the elite level. In just the last few years, he's coached the women's four to a bronze medal in Paris, following earlier success with U19 and U23 crews. Before stepping onto the high-performance stage, Tom coached at St Peter's Cambridge, the school where he also rowed as an athlete. Passionate, energetic, and excellent for team morale, Tom brings both expertise and enthusiasm to the women's sweep squad.
Mike Rodger is a respected New Zealand rowing coach and a former lightweight international New Zealand rower. He won silver in the lightweight men's double sculls at the 1994 World Championships before competing at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. As a coach, he's guided Emma Twigg to two Olympic medals and led last year's men's four to silver at the Paris Olympics. His strategic vision, technical expertise, and ability to deliver results are second to none.
Mike helping Oli Welch from the Men's Pair witH his cooling vest.
Gary Roberts is a former Rowing New Zealand athlete turned elite coach, bringing a deep understanding of the sport and its athletes. He coached the men's double at last year's Olympic Games and now leads the 2025 men's double of Ben Mason and Finn Hamill, who have had great success on the world stage this season so far. Known for his holistic approach, balancing physical and mental performance, Gary has an exceptional eye for what each crew needs to succeed.
Gary giving Finn Hamill a fist pump before his race .
Athlete Performance Lead:
As Athlete Performance Lead at Rowing New Zealand, Justin Evans is responsible for ensuring all athlete support services are strategically aligned with Rowing NZ's high-performance goals. A key part of this is helping coaches, performance staff, service providers, and High Performance Sport NZ managers to collaborate so that information is shared effectively and decisions around performance, health, and technical needs are made in a coordinated way.
Justin also works closely with providers to establish strong processes that give coaches and athletes access to meaningful, reliable data to guide their decision-making. Justin draws on his experience as a practitioner across the last two Olympic cycles with rowing and one with cycling to ensure the information collected is not only accurate but also practical and relevant to the realities of high-performance campaigns.
Justin Evans and rower James Scott crunching the numbers.
Athlete Wellbeing Lead:
Louise Storey is Rowing New Zealand's Athlete Wellbeing Lead. A former elite rower, Louise completed in the NZ senior women's quad (2009-2012), eight (2010) and pair (2014), winning multiple World Cup and World Championship medals, including helping secure London 2012 Olympic qualification. Drawing on her experience in high performance, Louise now helps Rowing New Zealand keep athlete wellbeing at the forefront through transparency of information and decision-making, the inclusion of athlete voice, and the continual improvement of internal policies and processes.
Louise Storey keeping the athlete voice at the forefront at Rowing NZ.
Performance Life Coaching:
Carla Johl and Christina Jacklin are High Performance Sport NZ Performance Life Coaches dedicated to empowering athletes to thrive in their HP journey, whilst also ensuring they are set up for life after rowing. They guide and support rowers through the highs and lows of elite sport, helping them set life goals, manage life stressors, and find balance on and off the water. They help athletes with a range of things, including applications to scholarships, working on CVs, and helping navigate university or other educational opportunities. By focusing on the whole athlete as they transition in, through and out of the pathway, these two legends ensure that wellbeing and balance are just as finely tuned as physical performance.
Strength and Conditioning:
Lexie Jones-Hall and Caleb Dobbs are at the forefront of ensuring Rowing New Zealand athletes are strong, resilient, and injury-free. From carefully structured gym sessions to tailored on-water conditioning, they design programs that build both raw power and sustainable endurance.
Caleb Dobbs is a High Performance Sport NZ Senior Strength and Conditioning Coach at Rowing New Zealand, responsible for developing programmes that enhance athletes' strength, power, and performance. Formerly with the Waikato Rugby Union Academy, Caleb combines expertise with exceptional interpersonal skills, ensuring each athlete's needs are understood and met. Caleb's commitment, attention to detail, and genuine smile and care make him a trusted member of the team.
Lexie Jones-Hall is a High Performance Sport NZ Strength and Conditioning Coach at Rowing New Zealand. Lexie has been helping with athletes' power, resilience, and injury prevention for the past three years. With a Master's in Sport Science and experience at the Otago Academy of Sport, Lexie brings expertise, positivity, and energy that motivates athletes even through the toughest sessions
Caleb in his happy place - the rowing nz high-performance gym.
Performance Physiology:
Physiologists play a vital role in high-performance rowing. They track every watt of power output, every heartbeat in training, and every bit of recovery data to make sure athletes stay healthy, resilient, and race‑ready. From designing programmes with coaches to advising on the smallest tweaks in training, this team brings science to the boat shed in a way that turns potential into podium finishes.
Dr. Stephen Fenemor is a High Performance Sport NZ Performance Physiologist at Rowing New Zealand. He has specialised in thermoregulation and heat management and holds a PhD in Health, Sport, and Human Performance from the University of Waikato. He has supported multiple Olympic and Paralympic campaigns, including Tokyo 2020, applying his expertise to optimise athlete performances. Steve is known for his easygoing, fun-loving charisma and his talent for bringing out the best in every athlete.
Performance and Technique Analysts:
At Rowing NZ, our Performance and Technique Analysis team works closely with athletes and coaches to capture and understand the full picture of performance. By combining biomechanics, performance analysis, and technology support, they use video and data to add objective insights alongside the athlete's and coach's own observations. Their role is about turning information into action, and they've become an integral part of how athletes and coaches at Rowing NZ continue to push performance forward.
Sanchia Outram is a High Performance Sport NZ Performance and Technique Analyst at Rowing NZ. Sanchia holds a Bachelor's in Sport and Exercise from the University of Lincoln and a Master's from the University of Louisiana Monroe, where she graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA. An elite British waterskier, Sanchia, combines international sporting experience with academic expertise to help rowers meet the demands of high-performance sport. Highly knowledgeable, approachable, and a genuine pleasure to work with, she brings a positive energy that lifts the team around her.
Holly Gray joined High Performance Sport NZ as a Performance and Technique Analyst six months ago and also works with our rowing team. She brings experience as a former rower in the 2022 Elite Summer Squad, paired with a strong academic background - a Master of Sport, Exercise and Health and a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation from AUT. Holly combines professionalism, drive, and a personable approach to support and enhance athlete performances in both training and racing, making her a key member of the team behind the team.
Sanchia supporting the Men's Double Sculls crew of Ben Mason and Finn Hamill with their post race cool down.
Nutrition
Nutrition is a key part of helping athletes perform at their best. Guidance around what to eat, when to eat, and how much to fuel properly for training sessions can make a significant difference to performance. Our nutritionists also play a key role in ensuring athletes' bodies are functioning as they should, helping to address deficiencies such as low B12 or iron. Beyond performance planning, they also add a personal touch by running "Breakfast Club" on Wednesday mornings between sessions - serving toasties and smoothies to keep the squad fuelled and ready to go.
Senior Performance Nutritionist and Rowing Lead at High Performance Sport New Zealand Julia Bone is an extremely valued member of the team behind the team and has completed her Bachelor of Applied Science (Hons) in Sports Nutrition from the University of Otago, where she was part of the first cohort of the Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism majors. She later earned a Master of Dietetic Studies from the University of Queensland and a PhD from Australian Catholic University, while based at the Australian Institute of Sport. Julia brings incredible knowledge and expertise to her role, while also being kind, approachable, and fun - a truly valued presence to have around the building.
Lucy Trollope is also an indispensable member of the team behind the team as one of our High Performance Sport NZ nutritionists at Rowing NZ. She has completed a Bachelor of Science majoring in Human Nutrition and then a Master of Dietetics (M.Diet) at the University of Otago in 2021. Lucy is known for her friendly nature and the genuine care she shows in supporting each athlete's individual needs.
Julia processing capillary blood samples as part of nutrition analysis.
What's your favourite thing about working at and being part of Rowing New Zealand?
Caleb Dobbs: Without a doubt, it is the people. I believe that good people make good athletes, particularly in a sport like rowing. Rowing is a brutally honest sport; you either moved the boat fast enough or you didn't. There is nowhere to hide. Because of this, rowers either develop an honest relationship with the truth, continually assessing performance and working to improve, or they quit. Our people are hardworking, honest, and much more. It is a real pleasure to work with them.
Stephen Fenemor: The people, for sure. It's a pretty special crew to be around, and I love that the little things we do behind the scenes can make a big difference come race day."
Louise Storey: It has been really interesting being an athlete and then coming back to work 'behind the scenes'. I had a pretty tough run in the lead-up to my retirement. I was burnt out physically and mentally, and my own well-being was not a priority at all. Coming back and seeing all the positive changes that have been made, and being able to play a small part in that, has been almost healing for me in a way, as I can look at my time with rowing from a different perspective. I love being involved in conversations where athletes have the confidence and trust to voice their views; it shows just how far we've come.
Julia Bone: Aside from having a stunning office view, my favourite thing about my role is the people I get to work with. Everyone has a common goal to be better and help our athletes be better. This can also bring challenges, but that's what keeps the job interesting and engaging. I like how we can celebrate memorable moments like birthdays, alongside focusing on performance.
Having worked with so many athletes over the years, what qualities or habits do you think present themselves in the most successful rowers?
Caleb Dobbs: In my experience, the most successful rowers are consistently willing to delay gratification. Rowing requires consistency of effort over many years to build the physical attributes required for success. This means sacrificing immediate comfort for future success day in and day out. One of our great strengths is that NZ rowers are willing to outwork our competition. As well as this, the best athletes have a drive to do the small things well. Our best rowers consistently work 1% harder, fuel 1% more and recover 1% better than our competitors. Over time, this is the difference between being good and being great.
Stephen Fenemor: Hey, just keep turning up. Rain, shine, good days, tough days - they're consistent, driven, open to learning, and still manage to stay humble through it all.
Louise Storey: I think it depends on what you define as success. For me, success isn't a medal around your neck. Success is being able to look back on what you have achieved while rowing and being content with your journey and the time and energy you have put into it, regardless of what your results say. The most successful rowers are those who take joy in the challenge of putting in the hard work to make sometimes the smallest of improvements. This echoes in life after rowing as well-so many rowers go on to achieve great things in their careers due to this quality.
Julia Bone: The common traits I've noticed are being organised and consistent with their nutrition/training/recovery practices, and being proactive in asking for help. They know it's not about being perfect or doing it alone, but having backups or contingencies in place if, for some reason, something doesn't work out. These athletes also know when to ask questions and use the support around them to help them be the best rowers they can be.
Rowing is built on more than just strength and skill - it's about the connections forged in training, the shared drive to improve, and the quiet dedication that transforms tiny gains into world-class performances.
From physiologists tracking recovery, to coaches refining race plans, to nutritionists ensuring athletes are fuelled for peak performance, every role plays a vital part.
As we close this three-part series, The Team Behind the Team, it's clear just how many incredible people are supporting our athletes every single day. A huge thank you to the entire 'Team Behind the Team' and to everyone out there helping athletes chase - and achieve - their dreams.
Kate Haines
Kate Haines has been part of the New Zealand Rowing Team and is studying Accounting at Massey University. She is NZ Olympian #1567, who competed in the Paris Olympics.
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- The Hidden Champions:...
The Hidden Champions: Uncovering Rowing New Zealand’s Support Network
Behind every Rowing New Zealand boat we all see on the water, competing or training, is a world-class team working just as hard.
At Rowing New Zealand, success isn't built on athletes alone; it's the collective strength, skill, and dedication of the Team Behind the Team that drives every performance. These are the coaches, support staff, and specialists who ensure our athletes can perform at their very best, every day.
Now, let's meet some of the incredible people who make it all happen.
Coaches:
Huge contributors to Rowing New Zealand's success are its coaches -strategists, technical experts, mentors, and motivators rolled into one. They craft training plans that strike a balance between precision and adaptability, helping athletes reach peak performance at exactly the right time. Whether it's fine‑tuning technique on Lake Karapiro or analysing race footage with the crews, the coaching staff are constantly looking for marginal gains and "one percenters".
James Coote has coached women's sculling for a number of years with outstanding results - guiding the women's double to a silver medal in Tokyo, and then to Olympic gold last year in Paris. This season, he coaches both women's doubles and now leads a highly promising women's quad that will race at the World Championships in Shanghai. James' depth of experience, unwavering commitment, and ability to get the best out of his athletes make him an invaluable member of the team behind the team.
James (centre) at 2025 world Cup - Varese with Ella Cossill (left) and Sophie Egnot-Johnson (right)
Calvin Ferguson, also known as Ferg, is another outstanding coach at Rowing NZ, bringing with him two decades of experience as an athlete before moving into coaching. Since then, Ferg has built an impressive track record on the international stage. His standout achievement came at the London Olympics, where he guided Nathan Cohen and Joseph Sullivan to gold in the men's double sculls. More recently, he coached the New Zealand U23 men's eight to a silver medal at the 2025 U23 World Championships. With his wealth of experience and proven success at the highest level, Ferg is a highly valued member of the team behind-the-team.
Tom Stannard has quickly built an impressive reputation at the elite level. In just the last few years, he's coached the women's four to a bronze medal in Paris, following earlier success with U19 and U23 crews. Before stepping onto the high-performance stage, Tom coached at St Peter's Cambridge, the school where he also rowed as an athlete. Passionate, energetic, and excellent for team morale, Tom brings both expertise and enthusiasm to the women's sweep squad.
Mike Rodger is a respected New Zealand rowing coach and a former lightweight international New Zealand rower. He won silver in the lightweight men's double sculls at the 1994 World Championships before competing at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. As a coach, he's guided Emma Twigg to two Olympic medals and led last year's men's four to silver at the Paris Olympics. His strategic vision, technical expertise, and ability to deliver results are second to none.
Mike helping Oli Welch from the Men's Pair witH his cooling vest.
Gary Roberts is a former Rowing New Zealand athlete turned elite coach, bringing a deep understanding of the sport and its athletes. He coached the men's double at last year's Olympic Games and now leads the 2025 men's double of Ben Mason and Finn Hamill, who have had great success on the world stage this season so far. Known for his holistic approach, balancing physical and mental performance, Gary has an exceptional eye for what each crew needs to succeed.
Gary giving Finn Hamill a fist pump before his race .
Athlete Performance Lead:
As Athlete Performance Lead at Rowing New Zealand, Justin Evans is responsible for ensuring all athlete support services are strategically aligned with Rowing NZ's high-performance goals. A key part of this is helping coaches, performance staff, service providers, and High Performance Sport NZ managers to collaborate so that information is shared effectively and decisions around performance, health, and technical needs are made in a coordinated way.
Justin also works closely with providers to establish strong processes that give coaches and athletes access to meaningful, reliable data to guide their decision-making. Justin draws on his experience as a practitioner across the last two Olympic cycles with rowing and one with cycling to ensure the information collected is not only accurate but also practical and relevant to the realities of high-performance campaigns.
Justin Evans and rower James Scott crunching the numbers.
Athlete Wellbeing Lead:
Louise Storey is Rowing New Zealand's Athlete Wellbeing Lead. A former elite rower, Louise completed in the NZ senior women's quad (2009-2012), eight (2010) and pair (2014), winning multiple World Cup and World Championship medals, including helping secure London 2012 Olympic qualification. Drawing on her experience in high performance, Louise now helps Rowing New Zealand keep athlete wellbeing at the forefront through transparency of information and decision-making, the inclusion of athlete voice, and the continual improvement of internal policies and processes.
Louise Storey keeping the athlete voice at the forefront at Rowing NZ.
Performance Life Coaching:
Carla Johl and Christina Jacklin are High Performance Sport NZ Performance Life Coaches dedicated to empowering athletes to thrive in their HP journey, whilst also ensuring they are set up for life after rowing. They guide and support rowers through the highs and lows of elite sport, helping them set life goals, manage life stressors, and find balance on and off the water. They help athletes with a range of things, including applications to scholarships, working on CVs, and helping navigate university or other educational opportunities. By focusing on the whole athlete as they transition in, through and out of the pathway, these two legends ensure that wellbeing and balance are just as finely tuned as physical performance.
Strength and Conditioning:
Lexie Jones-Hall and Caleb Dobbs are at the forefront of ensuring Rowing New Zealand athletes are strong, resilient, and injury-free. From carefully structured gym sessions to tailored on-water conditioning, they design programs that build both raw power and sustainable endurance.
Caleb Dobbs is a High Performance Sport NZ Senior Strength and Conditioning Coach at Rowing New Zealand, responsible for developing programmes that enhance athletes' strength, power, and performance. Formerly with the Waikato Rugby Union Academy, Caleb combines expertise with exceptional interpersonal skills, ensuring each athlete's needs are understood and met. Caleb's commitment, attention to detail, and genuine smile and care make him a trusted member of the team.
Lexie Jones-Hall is a High Performance Sport NZ Strength and Conditioning Coach at Rowing New Zealand. Lexie has been helping with athletes' power, resilience, and injury prevention for the past three years. With a Master's in Sport Science and experience at the Otago Academy of Sport, Lexie brings expertise, positivity, and energy that motivates athletes even through the toughest sessions
Caleb in his happy place - the rowing nz high-performance gym.
Performance Physiology:
Physiologists play a vital role in high-performance rowing. They track every watt of power output, every heartbeat in training, and every bit of recovery data to make sure athletes stay healthy, resilient, and race‑ready. From designing programmes with coaches to advising on the smallest tweaks in training, this team brings science to the boat shed in a way that turns potential into podium finishes.
Dr. Stephen Fenemor is a High Performance Sport NZ Performance Physiologist at Rowing New Zealand. He has specialised in thermoregulation and heat management and holds a PhD in Health, Sport, and Human Performance from the University of Waikato. He has supported multiple Olympic and Paralympic campaigns, including Tokyo 2020, applying his expertise to optimise athlete performances. Steve is known for his easygoing, fun-loving charisma and his talent for bringing out the best in every athlete.
Performance and Technique Analysts:
At Rowing NZ, our Performance and Technique Analysis team works closely with athletes and coaches to capture and understand the full picture of performance. By combining biomechanics, performance analysis, and technology support, they use video and data to add objective insights alongside the athlete's and coach's own observations. Their role is about turning information into action, and they've become an integral part of how athletes and coaches at Rowing NZ continue to push performance forward.
Sanchia Outram is a High Performance Sport NZ Performance and Technique Analyst at Rowing NZ. Sanchia holds a Bachelor's in Sport and Exercise from the University of Lincoln and a Master's from the University of Louisiana Monroe, where she graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA. An elite British waterskier, Sanchia, combines international sporting experience with academic expertise to help rowers meet the demands of high-performance sport. Highly knowledgeable, approachable, and a genuine pleasure to work with, she brings a positive energy that lifts the team around her.
Holly Gray joined High Performance Sport NZ as a Performance and Technique Analyst six months ago and also works with our rowing team. She brings experience as a former rower in the 2022 Elite Summer Squad, paired with a strong academic background - a Master of Sport, Exercise and Health and a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation from AUT. Holly combines professionalism, drive, and a personable approach to support and enhance athlete performances in both training and racing, making her a key member of the team behind the team.
Sanchia supporting the Men's Double Sculls crew of Ben Mason and Finn Hamill with their post race cool down.
Nutrition
Nutrition is a key part of helping athletes perform at their best. Guidance around what to eat, when to eat, and how much to fuel properly for training sessions can make a significant difference to performance. Our nutritionists also play a key role in ensuring athletes' bodies are functioning as they should, helping to address deficiencies such as low B12 or iron. Beyond performance planning, they also add a personal touch by running "Breakfast Club" on Wednesday mornings between sessions - serving toasties and smoothies to keep the squad fuelled and ready to go.
Senior Performance Nutritionist and Rowing Lead at High Performance Sport New Zealand Julia Bone is an extremely valued member of the team behind the team and has completed her Bachelor of Applied Science (Hons) in Sports Nutrition from the University of Otago, where she was part of the first cohort of the Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism majors. She later earned a Master of Dietetic Studies from the University of Queensland and a PhD from Australian Catholic University, while based at the Australian Institute of Sport. Julia brings incredible knowledge and expertise to her role, while also being kind, approachable, and fun - a truly valued presence to have around the building.
Lucy Trollope is also an indispensable member of the team behind the team as one of our High Performance Sport NZ nutritionists at Rowing NZ. She has completed a Bachelor of Science majoring in Human Nutrition and then a Master of Dietetics (M.Diet) at the University of Otago in 2021. Lucy is known for her friendly nature and the genuine care she shows in supporting each athlete's individual needs.
Julia processing capillary blood samples as part of nutrition analysis.
What's your favourite thing about working at and being part of Rowing New Zealand?
Caleb Dobbs: Without a doubt, it is the people. I believe that good people make good athletes, particularly in a sport like rowing. Rowing is a brutally honest sport; you either moved the boat fast enough or you didn't. There is nowhere to hide. Because of this, rowers either develop an honest relationship with the truth, continually assessing performance and working to improve, or they quit. Our people are hardworking, honest, and much more. It is a real pleasure to work with them.
Stephen Fenemor: The people, for sure. It's a pretty special crew to be around, and I love that the little things we do behind the scenes can make a big difference come race day."
Louise Storey: It has been really interesting being an athlete and then coming back to work 'behind the scenes'. I had a pretty tough run in the lead-up to my retirement. I was burnt out physically and mentally, and my own well-being was not a priority at all. Coming back and seeing all the positive changes that have been made, and being able to play a small part in that, has been almost healing for me in a way, as I can look at my time with rowing from a different perspective. I love being involved in conversations where athletes have the confidence and trust to voice their views; it shows just how far we've come.
Julia Bone: Aside from having a stunning office view, my favourite thing about my role is the people I get to work with. Everyone has a common goal to be better and help our athletes be better. This can also bring challenges, but that's what keeps the job interesting and engaging. I like how we can celebrate memorable moments like birthdays, alongside focusing on performance.
Having worked with so many athletes over the years, what qualities or habits do you think present themselves in the most successful rowers?
Caleb Dobbs: In my experience, the most successful rowers are consistently willing to delay gratification. Rowing requires consistency of effort over many years to build the physical attributes required for success. This means sacrificing immediate comfort for future success day in and day out. One of our great strengths is that NZ rowers are willing to outwork our competition. As well as this, the best athletes have a drive to do the small things well. Our best rowers consistently work 1% harder, fuel 1% more and recover 1% better than our competitors. Over time, this is the difference between being good and being great.
Stephen Fenemor: Hey, just keep turning up. Rain, shine, good days, tough days - they're consistent, driven, open to learning, and still manage to stay humble through it all.
Louise Storey: I think it depends on what you define as success. For me, success isn't a medal around your neck. Success is being able to look back on what you have achieved while rowing and being content with your journey and the time and energy you have put into it, regardless of what your results say. The most successful rowers are those who take joy in the challenge of putting in the hard work to make sometimes the smallest of improvements. This echoes in life after rowing as well-so many rowers go on to achieve great things in their careers due to this quality.
Julia Bone: The common traits I've noticed are being organised and consistent with their nutrition/training/recovery practices, and being proactive in asking for help. They know it's not about being perfect or doing it alone, but having backups or contingencies in place if, for some reason, something doesn't work out. These athletes also know when to ask questions and use the support around them to help them be the best rowers they can be.
Rowing is built on more than just strength and skill - it's about the connections forged in training, the shared drive to improve, and the quiet dedication that transforms tiny gains into world-class performances.
From physiologists tracking recovery, to coaches refining race plans, to nutritionists ensuring athletes are fuelled for peak performance, every role plays a vital part.
As we close this three-part series, The Team Behind the Team, it's clear just how many incredible people are supporting our athletes every single day. A huge thank you to the entire 'Team Behind the Team' and to everyone out there helping athletes chase - and achieve - their dreams.
Kate Haines
Kate Haines has been part of the New Zealand Rowing Team and is studying Accounting at Massey University. She is NZ Olympian #1567, who competed in the Paris Olympics.
