Fiona Milne

Olympic gold medalist. Competitive lightweight rower for Canada.

Fiona has rowed as a competitive lightweight rower for Canada, Ridley Graduate Boat Club (RGBC), Melbourne Uni Boat Club (MUBC), University of Toronto (UoT) and Ridley College.

‘I started rowing at high school, as it was a very strong program at Ridley College. I love the feeling of being on the water, working within a team and the close friendships I developed in the sport.

I have had a few coaching roles with school programs in Melbourne, Australia, but soon after retiring from International competition, I shifted my focus to my Physiotherapy career and I continue to work with rowing programs, schools, clubs and individuals to help prevent and manage injuries in rowers. I travelled Internationally in 2005 as a physio to the Australian U23 team prior to having my own three daughters , Emily 2007, Caitlin 2008 and Erin 2010.

Lightweight rowing is critical to maintaining the “universality” of the sport and making it accessible to all. The competitiveness and depth of lightweight competition both domestically and internationally was immense when I was competing. Often entries in lightweight events would surpass numbers in heavyweight /open events. Although the top 1% of lightweight rowers may be competitive with open weight competitors, the majority of women >63 kg or men >75 kg will struggle to ever make a National team or even be considered in a school crew, as now coaches are only looking for size, weight and raw strength to attract and recruit rowers.

The skill and technique of lightweight rowers has to be so well refined to win as all other physiological parameters are essentially equalised, therefore elevating the quality of the rowing in competition.

I would consider myself a lifelong rower as I love the sport, the community and the connections we have around the world to the extended rowing family. I will continue to contribute to my local clubs, school programs and within my profession as a physio to the wellbeing and inclusivity of the sport and access for all.

It is such a great sport for youth to get involved in, flourish, and develop skills that are transferrable to all areas of life. I want to see it accessible and possible to succeed for all shapes and sizes of kids and young adults.

Lightweight rowing is critical to ensure access to the sport is preserved for all. It is critical to the growth and participation rates of the sport by preventing a drop out of a large percentage of the population who would be overlooked in selection decisions or eventually give up as they are no longer able to compete against a level playing field.’