Youth Development Scholarships
2025 YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED
The 2025 Youth award winners have been announced and will receive a $ 1,250 scholarship and a 5 year membership of the Union. The presentation will take place at the RNSW Presentation Dinner on Thursday 12th June at Sydney RC.
John Johnson (Union President), Annabel McKensey, Elouise Stephens, Tobias Elias, Isabelle Bugg, Amber Bradley
& Isabella Henderson.
MEET THE 2025 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
AMBER BRADLEY
Amber has been rowing since the age of 13 when she jumped at a chance to try out in the para rowing program at her school, PLC Croydon. Being born with dyspraxia which affects her coordination and PDA which means she suffers from extreme anxiety in any situation rowing has provided an escape for Amber and being out on the water in a scull is her happy place. Having spent many years at school usually being the only competitor in the para races she has had a superb season racing hard and as often as her health would allow this season. Amber has spent the season racing against others and bringing home medals every race. Amber has achieved wonderful results with the aim next season of increasing her racing and continuing her podium finishes in all events. Barbara Ramjan OAM.
ISABELLE BUGG
Isabelle began rowing at Ascham School and has since shown a strong commitment to both school and club rowing with Glebe RC. A dedicated sculler, Isabelle has enjoyed considerable success in the 2024–25 season, including winning multiple events at the Edward Trickett Regatta (U17 4x, U17 8+, U17 1x), and taking 2nd place in the U17 1x at the State Championships. As a member of Ascham’s 1st Quad, she helped secure the win at the Riverview regatta and a 2nd at the 2025 Schoolgirl Head of the River. Awarded ‘Most Improved Senior Rower’ by Ascham in 2024 and was selected for the Rowing NSW Junior Pathways 1st Quad. At Nationals this year she was in the A-Final of the U17-1x coming away setting and breaking multiple PB’s. Izzy is an incredible person and athlete and will look to do great things in her future rowing career. Oliver Klotz
TOBIAS ELIAS
Tobias began rowing in 2020 through a learn-to-row program at Balgowlah Boys. After three years, he joined Mosman’s high-performance squad under Tom Schramko. He quickly improved, winning silver at his first nationals. This great achievement motivated him, setting an ambitious goal of making the junior team.
In 2025, after a strong winter and NSWIS trials, he won gold in the NSW Champs U19 1x and 2x, then repeated this double win at Australian Rowing Champs, also placing second in the schoolboy double. Tobias has now qualified for the U19 Australian team and will compete in Trakai, Lithuania in August. Tobias is clearly a talented sculler and we wish him every success. Rowena Meredith
ISABELLA HENDERSON
Isabella is a passionate and determined rower whose path into the sport is anything but typical. With no family background in rowing and starting at The Armidale School, in northern NSW, she quickly stood out for her work ethic, team spirit, and consistently positive attitude. In 2024, after less than a year in a single scull, Isabelle, narrowly missed the A final in the U171x at Nationals. In 2025 she went on to place 2nd in the Schoolgirl Head of the River and 4th at the Australian National Championships in the SG1x at Lake Barrington. Finishing off the season by making the NSW Pathways quad and getting herself down to Sydney at every opportunity to train with UTS Haberfield. Isabella represents the best of Australian rowing: driven, humble, always helpful, full of potential and resolute. Marty Inglis
ANNABEL McKENSEY
Annabel is the second of three sisters to row for Newcastle Grammar. Encouraged by her parents to take up rowing to support her strength training for athletics, she quickly developed a passion for the sport. Annabel found early success in the 2x and 4x events. She soon demonstrated her independence and skill in the single scull, representing the school at the 2024 Nationals, where she placed 5th in the U17 2x final. Her subsequent selection into the NSW Pathways Team was a motivator for her continued dedication to rowing. The 2024/25 season marked a breakthrough winning her first state medals: bronze in the U21L1x and bronze in the SG1x and being selected in the Victoria Cup crew competing at Lake Barrington. At Nationals, she earned bronze medals in both the U21L1X and the U23 2x, with a 5th in the Victoria Cup. Looking ahead Annabel is excited to continue competing in the U19 category and aims to build on her success in the lightweight divisions. Brad Smith
ELOUISE STEPHENS
Elouise began her rowing career in 2022 as a Year 8 student in Mosman’s Junior Girls program. Initially, it was just a fun way to stay fit for her other sports, including state netball and touch football, but by mid-season, she was hooked. The 23/24 season proved a breakout year for Elouise and the U17 Mosman girls, with national titles in the U17W 2x and 4x+. Over winter, the MRC High Performance squad trained consistently and relentlessly, and their efforts paid off at the 2025 National Championships at Lake Barrington. As a first-year U19, Elouise placed 6th in the 1x, and took silver in the 2x, 4x, and SG4x+. She was selected to trial for the U19 Australian Team, however was deselected on the final day. Undeterred, Elouise is eager to return for the 25/26 season as a top-age athlete, aiming for a medal at the Junior World Championships in Bulgaria. Elouise’s career has only spanned a few seasons so far, however she displays a strong desire to work hard and reap the rewards at every opportunity. Rowena Meredith
2026 SCHOLARSHIP CLUB TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE
SCHOLARSHIP CLUB FOR 2025 HAS BEEN DRAWN WITH JACKY PEILE WINNING
Jacky was a 2005 Scholarship recipient from St. George & has donated the $ 1,000 back to provide for more awards.
THANK YOU JACKY for your generosity!
2025 Subscribers were
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| 188 Scholarships have been awarded since 1992. |
2024 YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
The Union received twenty-two applications from high calibre aspiring champions this year. Listed below are the successful applicants who have been selected to receive a $1,000 Youth Development Scholarship and a five-year membership of the Union from 2024:
Patricia Boland of Glebe RC & Loreto Normanhurst
Elyse Coates of Mosman RC & Northern Beaches High
Leila Gaston of UTS Haberfield RC & St Catherines
Gemma McLaren of SUBC & Queenwood
Ezekiel Pratt of Nepean RC
Lucy Yabsley of Glebe RC & Ascham School.
CONGRATULATIONS to each of the successful athletes and thank you all applicants for applying.
MEET THE 2024 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
