Rockhampton Coach, Kim Byrne, has rich history in the sport of rowing, representing both NSW and Australia in the late 70s/early 80s. Notable on the international stage – Kim won Gold for Australia in the lightweight women’s Pair at the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta in 1980.Kim returned to rowing in 2010 as a Masters competitor with Rockhampton Fitzroy Rowing Club – and has since again competed at State, National, and International regattas including the World Masters Championships in Ballarat (2014) and the Australian Masters Championships (2016 and 2019).
Kim volunteers as the Head Coach for Emmaus College’s rowing program, as well as rowers from Rockhampton Girls Grammar School, Rockhampton State High School, and working closely with coaches and students from The Cathedral College.
Kim’s passion and love for the sport is evident to all involved with the Club – coaching rowers 6 days / 9 sessions a week. Through Kim’s hard work and dedication, she is now an accredited Level 3 performance rowing coach (at the time was only the second female coach in Queensland to reach this level).
Over the last 6 months Kim has been coaching Fitzroy Rowing Club’s Nationals Rowing Squad – a committed group of young rowers who will compete at the Australian Rowing Championships. This will be the largest contingent of rowers that Rockhampton Fitzroy Rowing Club has had compete at the National Championships, and these rowers will have the opportunity to represent their respective secondary schools and the Rockhampton Fitzroy Rowing Club. It is an exciting time for the club and for rowing in Rockhampton, and it is because of the support of volunteers like Kim that make these opportunities possible.
Written by: Matt Thompson