Athlete v Rowing Australia

The Applicant is an athlete and member of Rowing Australia, the National Sporting Organisation for the sport of rowing in Australia. On 5 May 2026, the Applicant lodged an appeal with the National Sports Tribunal (NST) following their non-selection for the 2026 World Rowing Cup III in Lucerne, Switzerland (the Event).

The selection of athletes for the Event was governed by the Rowing Australia National Selection Policy – Senior Team (the Selection Policy) and Senior Para Team and the Rowing Australia Selection Appeals Policy (the Appeals Policy).

The Applicant submitted that they were not afforded a reasonable opportunity to satisfy the Selection Policy because selectors did not disclose the weighting applied to selection activities before selections were made.

Rowing Australia submitted that the selection process was conducted in accordance with the Selection Policy and that selectors were entitled to apply weightings as part of their discretion.

An oral hearing was held on 7 May 2026.

On 8 May 2026, the single NST Member dismissed the appeal, finding that the Applicant had been afforded a reasonable opportunity to satisfy the Selection Policy and that there was no requirement to disclose weightings in advance.