Local Olympic rower from Jindera has heaped praise on his time training at Corowa Rowing Club.
Fergus Hamilton, a 24-year-old, whose journey as a local talent to Olympic competitor at the Paris games, has captured the admiration of the local sporting community.
Hamilton has been making significant waves in the rowing world, and recently took time to express his gratitude to the Corowa Rowing Club, where his remarkable career first took shape.
Wes Canny, the esteemed Club Captain of Corowa Rowing Club, shared Hamilton’s story with the Free Press, highlighting his extraordinary progression from a local rower to an Olympic athlete.
"Fergus began his remarkable rowing journey with us in 2014 while studying at Melbourne Grammar School," Mr Canny said.
"He first showcased his potential at the local MRA regatta in January 2015, excelling in the under-17 sculling events and winning the D grade sweep-oared four, a boat class he later competed in at the Paris Olympics."
Canny also noted Hamilton’s achievements at the Victorian State Championships in 2015, where he won the under-17 single scull and with rowing partner, Brad Pearsall, and the help of coach and Corowa Rowing Club President, Robert Eyers, triumphed in the 2017 Under-19 Double Scull Championship in Lithuania.
"His career took him from Gippsland to Corowa, from Melbourne Grammar School to international acclaim," he added.
This victory secured him a scholarship to Yale University, where he achieved further success, including winning the prestigious ‘Head of the Charles’ Regatta in 2018 and 2019.
His impressive trajectory continued with a bronze medal as stroke of the Australian Under-23 eight in 2022. After completing his studies, he led Victoria to a victory in the King’s Cup at the National Championships in Sydney in 2024.
Despite his global accomplishments, Hamilton remains grounded and connected to his roots. As he returns from the Paris Olympics, he plans to balance his work with his promising rowing career.
Canny expressed excitement about Hamilton's anticipated return to Corowa.
"We eagerly await Fergus’s return and look forward to seeing him rowing on the Murray River again. Our club is also eager to inspire the next generation of rowers through our ‘Learn to Row’ program."
In 2023, Hamilton joined the Australian Senior Squad, competing in the Men’s Pair (M2-) at the World Championships and securing an 8th place finish, which qualified the pair for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Despite a commendable effort, the Men’s Four crew, including Fergus Hamilton, Alex Hill, Tim Masters, and Jack Robertson, finished sixth in the A Final at the Paris Olympics, falling short of their gold medal aspirations.
Richard Hamilton, Fergus’s father and a former United Kingdom rower at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, expressed gratitude for the support his son has received.
"I want to thank Wes Canny, the Corowa Rowing Club, and the local community for all their support,“ Mr Hamilton said.
“It has been greatly appreciated. Despite travelling the world due to rowing, Corowa remains at the top of my list of clubs I would choose to train at," Mr Hamilton said.
Fergus Hamilton also took a moment to thank his supporters.
"I want to thank everyone at the Corowa Rowing Club. Your support has meant a lot to me!" he told The Free Press.
As Fergus Hamilton continues to build on his impressive career, the rowing community looks forward to his future endeavours.
For more information or to discover opportunities with the Corowa Rowing Club, visit their Facebook website and see what the future holds.