Mackay Rowing Club Gears Up for Nationals in Sydney with Help from Surrounding Clubs

A small team with a big impact, the four athletes from Mackay Rowing Club brought home a slew of medals as their attention turns so the National championships in Sydney.

Picture: Mackay Rowing Club

Mackay Rowing Club’s Jane Deguara has been making waves in the competitive rowing scene, despite only starting the sport a decade years ago as a way to stay fit while her son was part of a high school program.

Now, Jane is a force to be reckoned with in the masters category, thanks to her unwavering dedication and passion for the sport.

With the benefit of training along the beauty of the Pioneer River in Dumbleton, the team has been hard at work across the past 12 months, culminating in their best performances to date.

But Jane‘s journey hasn’t been without its challenges.

Although rowing has always been a great way for her to stay healthy, it wasn’t until she started training with her new partner, a fitness instructor, that she truly found her peak physical fitness.

“This is the fittest I have ever been,” Deguara said.

“This is the first time I’ve been in the gym … we’re four days on the water, two on the ergos and then in the gym the other time so there is a lot of work involved.”

Recently, Jane and three other Mackay Rowing stars – Therese Clancy, Richard Magrath, and Nick Wohlfhart – competed in the Queensland State Masters championships held at Beaudesert. The four athletes left their competitors in awe, coming home with a stunning 14 medals as a club.

Therese Clancy and Jane Deguara show of their idetic medals at the Masters rowing championships of Queensland last week. Picture: Mackay Rowing Club

Jane and Therese took home three gold, one silver, and one bronze medal each, while Richard and Nick finished with one silver and one bronze medal each.

The fact that they all won identical medals is a testament to their dedication and teamwork, something that the Mackay Rowing Club is known for.

“It’s funny that we all won the same medals,” Deguara said.

“But we have all worked so hard and to see each of us walk away with medals just shows we may be a smaller boat club but people are noticing us now.”

Usually, a larger group of 15 to 20 rowers go away to the state titles, but this year it was just the “Fab Four” who made the trip, given the amount of training and preparation they had put into it.

These results speak for themselves.

Now, Jane and the team are setting their sights on the national championships, which will be held in Sydney in just five weeks‘ time.

Brisbane and Townsville clubs have offered to chip in and help with boats and oats transportation for the competition, highlighting the camaraderie and support that exists within the rowing community.

Richard McGrath and Therese Clancy with their medals from the mixed competition. Picture: Mackay Rowing Club

Jane has attended the Nationals before, as part of a women‘s crew who managed to win a bronze medal despite never having rowed together before.

“Last time I knew nobody in the team and we managed to come away with a bronze medal,” Deguara said.

“So this time around I cant see why we cant do better and make a mark in Sydney.”

This time around, she’s hopeful that her strong connection with her fellow Mackay Rowing stars will propel them even further.

The Mackay Rowing Club is always looking for new members and encouraging those who have been involved in sport or never before to give it a try.