15/07/2026
Throughout our Club’s history, we’ve been proud to support rowers at every stage of their journey, from those who simply love being on the water to those who turn the sport into a lifelong pursuit. One of those stories belongs to Emma Aire (McCarthy), who began rowing through a Bundaberg school, rose to compete on the world stage, and now leads a thriving program at Stuartholme in Brisbane. Read about her experiences below or access the full article on pages 18-19 https://issuu.com/stuartholmeschool/docs/cor_unum_winter_2026_/18
“I grew up as a sport-obsessed kid in Bundaberg. I played everything, from hockey, volleyball, netball, swimming, nippers and cross country. I put my hand up for it all. I wasn’t the standout. I didn’t make regional teams, not even a district relay: I was, by most measures, an average all-rounder.
That changed when I discovered Rowing in Year 8. In Bundaberg, it was a relatively unknown sport, so quietly and without much attention, 1 went undefeated through five years of Head of River Championships. I made my first Queensland team in Year 12 and went on to represent my state for ten years. I won medals at the Under 23 World Rowing Championships, competed at World Cups, and was selected as an Olympic reserve for London before injury brought my athletic career to a close.
But even then, I never gave up playing team sport. It wasn’t until Year 11, when training demands intensified, that I began to specialise in rowing.
What made the difference in my journey was not early success or pressure to specialise. It was the environment around me. I was supported by key school staff who encouraged me to keep sport enjoyable, helped me balance training with academic commitments, and understood the value of rest. That experience shapes my philosophy today.”
