The Hancock Women’s National Centre is currently hosting three interstate athletes in the lead up to National Selection Trials. Tasmanians Sarah Hawe and Ciona Wilson, along with Victorian Hannah Lewis, have temporarily joined the current crop of Women’s NTC athletes in the lead up to trials due to each of the women needing pair partners as they prepare for trials.
Women’s Head Coach, John Keogh said: “It was a great fit having the three girls come up and join us as they were in need of pair partners ahead of trials and we needed some extra bow-side rowers to join us to help our current NTC athletes prepare. We’ve also had Fiona Ewing from Sydney University BC come out with us a few times also.”
“I reached out to the girls and their coaches post- NSW State Championships explaining we needed some bowside rowers, and they in turn were needing pair partners. I then spoke with Brett Crow (at the TIS) along with Bill Tait (VIS) and Simon Gadsden (Mercantile RC) about how we could help the group and in turn they could help us in the lead up to trials.
“Sarah has come to us from Huon RC, while Ciona is from Tamar Rowing Club and Hannah’s a Mercantile member, all three have settled in will with the group and it has been good to be able to help them out ahead of trials,” added Keogh.
Hawe, who trains out of Huon RC and is a TIS rowing scholar said: “It’s been great to be a part of the group up here in Penrith for the lead up to trials. The girls have all been really welcoming and it’s great to have been able to row here, as my normal pair partner in Tassie, Meaghan Volker, isn’t trialling this year.”
Hawe has been training throughout the last few weeks in boats alongside Olympians Lucy Stephan and Molly Goodman as well as Olympic reserve, Georgie Gotch. “I’ve found the whole time really fun and productive and it’s good to be able contribute to the group. I obviously know Georgia Nesbitt, as she is also a Huon member, but everyone has been great.”
A practising veterinarian, Hawe has taken some time off work in a bid to gain selection to the Australian Rowing Team, which she hopes will ultimately mean she has to relocate to Penrith to join the current crop of athletes.
“If all goes to plan, and I make the team, I’d have to relocate to Penrith. If I can fit it with my training load, I’d like to transfer my veterinary licence to New South Wales, and look at maybe working a bit around training, if I get selected.”