MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Maroochy River Rowing Club Appoints Head Coach and Director of Rowing, Ushering in New Era for Sunshine Coast School Sport
Maroochy River Rowing Club has announced the appointment of Lachlan Allen as Head Coach and Director of Rowing, marking a significant milestone in the club’s evolution and signalling a new era for youth rowing on the Sunshine Coast.
The appointment represents a strategic step forward for the region’s only youth-focused rowing club, formalising a structured athlete development pathway and prioritising the introduction of rowing as a recognised inter-school sport across Sunshine Coast schools.
Building the Future of School Rowing
With participation growing steadily in recent years, a key priority under the club’s new leadership structure is establishing rowing as a recognised competitive inter-school sport in the region — laying the foundation for a new era of organised school rowing on the Sunshine Coast.
Amanda Rukuwai, President of Maroochy River Rowing Club, said the appointment represents an important moment for both the club and the broader sporting community.
“Lachlan brings an extraordinary depth of experience in school and representative rowing, and his appointment marks a defining step forward for our club.
As the Sunshine Coast’s only youth-focused rowing club, we are committed to building a genuine pathway from school participation through to State and National representation. Lachlan’s leadership will allow us to introduce rowing as a structured inter-school sport in our region and elevate the standard of competitive rowing across the Coast.
With Brisbane 2032 on the horizon, this is about laying foundations now — for our athletes, our schools and our community. We are passionate about getting young people off devices and onto the water, building strength, resilience and belonging in a sport that can serve them for life.”
Strengthening Pathways and Performance
Lachlan brings over two decades of high-performance coaching and program leadership experience across school, club and state environments.
In 2025, he serves as Director of Rowing at St Peters Lutheran College in Brisbane, leading the continued growth of one of Queensland’s emerging school rowing programs. Prior to relocating to Queensland, Lachlan spent more than a decade as Director of Rowing at Loreto Kirribilli in Sydney (2011–2023), overseeing significant program expansion and athlete pathway success.
He has also coached within the New South Wales Rowing Team for seven years and worked closely with Sydney University Boat Club and Mosman Rowing Club to support athletes transitioning between school, club and representative levels.
Lachlan said he is looking forward to contributing to the club’s long-term vision.
“I’m excited to be joining Maroochy River Rowing Club at such an important stage in its growth. The club has a clear vision for youth development and a genuine commitment to building a strong, inclusive rowing culture on the Sunshine Coast.
My coaching philosophy centres on technical precision, strong culture and long-term athlete development — creating environments where young athletes can thrive both on and off the water. I’m particularly looking forward to working with local schools to establish rowing as a recognised competitive sport in the region and to supporting the club’s strategic goals in the years ahead.”
Positioning for 2032
The club’s long-term strategic growth aligns with the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with aspirations to contribute to the Sunshine Coast’s role as a non-motorised water sports destination in the years ahead.
With structured leadership now in place, Maroochy River Rowing Club aims to expand youth participation, strengthen school partnerships and build a sustainable performance pathway that supports athletes well beyond their school years.
Media Contact:
Maroochy River Rowing Club
07 5408 5037
media@mrrc.club