Geoff Rees

World Lightweight medal winner and WLRA Founder

A World Lightweight medal winner, Geoff has been involved in the administration and coaching of rowing at all levels. He continues to participate as a rower, committee member of large regattas and adviser to rowing state and national bodies.

‘I was a multiple World Lightweight medallist, which included a gold medal at the first world FISA Championship for lightweight rowers.

Rowing was offered at school. However, selection for the top crew was limited to heavier, taller athletes. I was invited to join a club lightweight crew after leaving school. The atmosphere amongst the lightweights was inclusive within the group and competitive, with athletes who had achieved selection at school level. This environment turned out to be very satisfying for athletes used to exclusion. 

I remember I was injured before my first overseas tour, resulting in a break from rowing whilst my arm recovered in a cast. Our young Coach trained in my place and I ran beside the crew. I’d then run with the crew after they finished their training row - I had no trouble making weight that year. When I first took off the cast, the pain returned, and I was sure my international ambitions had come to an end. A second opinion from an experienced surgeon turned things around, and I was able to re-join the crew shortly before the team left for Europe and the Worlds. The crew went on to win the 1974 Lightweight Fours gold. I think that was my most memorable competition for everything I’d been through to get there. 

In addition to my World Lightweight medals, I coached at school, club, and interstate levels. I coached heavy weights at interstate level with Colin. We probably cost our first crew the chance of winning the Interstate 8 championship. They were rowed down over the final stages of the final, having overrated the opposition throughout the race. We were used to training with lightweights, who gave 110% during training. The larger athletes had a reserve that was kept well hidden - until a close final. We had eased the gearing before the Interstate 8 final - totally unnecessary as it turned out! 

Over the years and still today, I have advised on a number of Olympic sports. In my first major case in the 80s, we challenged the Football Leagues' zoning rules as an unlawful restraint of trade. The Victorian Supreme Court declared the rules invalid. The media were dumbfounded on the Saturday following the decision, as a number of players ran onto the field for different clubs without the knowledge of the press.

I’ve also drafted arrangements for broadcast and professional sporting leagues. I was Chair of the Advisory Board for Sport at the leading Australian University, where I discovered that rowers and footballers have a very strong and influential alumnus!

For me, I feel that the lightweight classification promotes rowing to participants of average body size and weight. The classification provides a graduated introduction to the sport of rowing.’