Rowing New Zealand announces key appointments to elevate the sport at every level

Rowing New Zealand has made key appointments that reflect their ongoing commitment to two key strategic priorities: growing high-performance rowers and fostering stronger rowing communities. These changes will help to continue building momentum as they work to elevate the sport at every level.

Following the recent departure of Mark Weatherall, Rowing New Zealand (RNZ) has promoted Jared Cummings into the role of General Manager Sport Development overseeing the work with stakeholders of community rowing alongside their Club and Schools Coordinator, Rebecca Milicich and a Sport Development Coordinator role which they will be recruiting for in the near future.

Jared Cummings promoted to GM Sport Development
RNZ Chief Executive Simon Wickham notes "we're pleased Jared expressed interest in stepping up into this role, having already worked across many facets of community rowing in his coach development and pathway roles, as well as the work he'd done before joining RNZ within clubs, school rowing and the Wellington Rowing Assn.

“Jared brings hands-on knowledge and experience alongside the team fit and personal attributes we're looking for to help maintain the momentum made in recent years supporting those delivering local rowing experiences in our affiliated associations, clubs and schools."

Cummings joined RNZ in 2020 and has played a pivotal role supporting many aspects of community rowing, largely in the coach development and athlete pathway areas, alongside managing the Under-23 New Zealand Rowing team to a number of world Championships, most recently in St Catherines. Well versed in many of the roles in the wider rowing community, Cummings has previous experience that will service him well in his new role, including his experience in :

• Lead Coach and Director of Rowing roles in club and school rowing across NZ and Australia for 15+ years, along with experience on board membership with a number of clubs, local associations and university rowing groups

• Rowing New Zealand - Pathway and Coach Development Management roles

• Team Management - 2021 & 2024 Olympic Qualification Regatta’s, 2022, 2023 & 2024 U23 World Rowing Championships

Cummings 's ability and desire to lead RNZ continuing to build relationships across affiliated Associations, clubs, schools and associated bodies and the thousands of rowers and volunteers they serve underpins his appointment to this key role for Rowing New Zealand.

Justin Evans appointed to Athlete Performance Lead
Rowing New Zealand has also appointed Justin Evans as Athlete Performance Lead. Evans comes from High Performance Sport New Zealand (HPSNZ), leading one of the Performance Science disciplines embedded within Rowing NZ. In the Athlete Performance Lead role for RNZ he will continue the important work of supporting the performance of New Zealand’s elite rowers in a cross discipline leadership role. The role's core purpose is to ensure alignment of the Athlete Performance Services alongside the RNZ coaching and high performance team members, to deliver against RNZ's high performance strategy.

RNZ's GM Performance, Judith Hamilton advised “Justin is incredibly dedicated to enhancing athlete performance, always working collaboratively with our team of sports science experts, coaches, and support staff. His track record with our athletes during the Tokyo and Paris Olympic cycles speaks for itself, and we are excited to see him take on this leadership role within the team.”

Evans’ extensive background in building athlete performance systems, combined with his tried and tested experience in high-performance environments at both Cycling New Zealand and Rowing New Zealand, made him the standout candidate for this key role. His expertise in innovative projects and systems for athlete development along with his collaborative working style has earned him a reputation for excellence at RNZ.

Evans will transition into his new position at the start of the New Year, while in the meantime preparing a handover for his ongoing work with High Performance Sport New Zealand (HPSNZ) and the Rowing New Zealand team.

Rowing New Zealand (RNZ) is the governing body for the sport of rowing in New Zealand. They are dedicated to growing the sport at all levels, from grassroots through to elite performance. Their vision is to inspire and develop rowers, coaches, and communities across the country, and to ensure New Zealand continues to be a world leader in rowing.

Image. Credit: Rowing New Zealand