ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE CHAIR OF ROWING TASMANIA

After a thorough, nation-wide recruitment process, the Board of Rowing Tasmania is pleased to announce the appointment of Justin Dent as the new CEO of Rowing Tasmania.

Justin is an experienced sports administrator with significant experience in leadership roles at all levels of sport in Australia.

In the last 10 years he has been CEO of a State Sporting Organisation (Riding for the Disabled, SA) and CEO at the National level with Riding for the Disabled Australia. Before this he worked as a Community Partnerships Manager in a not-for profit organisation and as a State Development Officer with the SANFL.

Rowing is new to Justin, and he is keen to understand how our sport works. His extensive experience in advocacy, stakeholder and volunteer management, and in leading change will facilitate a new chapter for rowing in Tasmania.

Justin will commence next Wednesday, July 16, and the Board and I warmly welcome him to the rowing family.

Justin will initially be based in the south but will engage statewide and, of course, will be familiarising himself with Lake Barrington and other venues. 

As Chair, I will be the key person working with Justin to ensure he quickly gets a handle on our systems. I’m fortunate to be supported by other Board members who will focus on their areas of responsibility and expertise such as our budget and financial management, asset management, the rowing program and development with Justin.

ARC 2026 is a key undertaking and is a priority, but there are many.  In the meantime, Roxanne will be working with Justin around supports for clubs and schools. Justin will be keen to meet and work with you in support of rowing in Tasmania

While the plan was for Justin and outgoing CEO Rob Prescott to have a couple of weeks for handover, Rob will be undergoing surgery early next week to remove a brain tumour and, understandably, will be focussed on recuperating. This is a devastating blow for Rob personally and I’m sure our rowing community will be wishing for the best possible outcome for him.

Tina Maher
Chair, Rowing Tasmania