Who is Emmie Frederico?

Emmie Frederico, a rower with deep family connection to Mercantile Rowing Club, has achieved success through hard work and a commitment to technical precision over raw power. Her journey, shaped significantly by a challenging yet rewarding transfer to Syracuse University in the US, highlighted the immense value of a supportive elite team environment. This progression led her to represent Australia at the Under 23 World Championships, where her crew's ability to bond through adversity proved critical to their fast, record-breaking performance on the Varese course.

For Emmie, whose current focus is perfecting a "loose and connected" catch, rowing is a vehicle for personal growth, providing unique opportunities and life experiences like her aspiration to compete in the Boat Race.

Why does this conversation matter?

This conversation offers valuable insights for aspiring athletes and highlights key themes in the sport of rowing:

• The Power of Connection and Environment: Emmie emphasises her continued love for rowing comes from the squad environment; the energy of training in a squad and the strong bonds formed with teammates, especially when working through adversity.
• Technique as a Great Equaliser: Her experience shows that success in rowing is not solely dependent on size or raw power. She serves as a great example that effective technique and efficiency can allow an athlete to compete at the highest level.
• The Value of the Rowing Pathway: Her journey from a rowing family, through the school system at Firbank Grammar School, into the US at Syracuse University, and back into the Australian national system demonstrates how rowing can open up unique educational and global life experiences for dedicated athletes.

This conversation is for athletes, parents and coaches in gaining an insight into Emmie’s journey from Firbank, Mercantile Rowing Club, Syracuse University to the Australian Rowing Team.

Sponsored by 776BC

Hosted by Drew Ginn OAM OLY

Guest Emmie Frederico

Published by Nicholas Finster

Sean Colgan – Colgan Foundation and Patron of Mercantile

In this episode of Mercantile Radio, Drew sits down for breakfast with one of rowing’s great characters and most generous supporters, Sean Colgan. Recorded in a bustling Melbourne café on the eve of the Head of the Yarra, this conversation is rich with stories, humour, and deep insight into the global rowing community.

Why does this conversation matter?

Sean reflects on his long connection with Mercantile Rowing Club, his love of the Head of the Yarra, and last year’s dramatic injury that left him in hospital instead of in the stern of the Masters eight. He shares why, despite setbacks, rowing remains the ultimate sport for camaraderie, routine, resilience, and lifelong friendships.

The episode dives into his far-reaching philanthropic work—supporting rowing programs across Australia, New Zealand, the United States, the UK and Ukraine. Sean discusses why developing athletes at the grassroots matters, how traditions like Henley keep rowing’s culture alive, and why volunteers are the backbone of every great club.

Drew explores Sean’s own rowing journey: from high-school success through lightweight world championship medals to becoming a stroke of the U.S. Olympic coxed pair. Along the way come stories of training, coaches, university rowing, and the perspective that comes with 70 years of life on and off the water.

This candid café conversation ranges from humorous banter with Drew Ginn to serious reflections on the future of world rowing, the power of the U.S. college system, and the value of keeping life balanced beyond sport.

Please note; We would not want the truth to get in the way of a good story.  Mercantile Rowing Club has a Defibrillator and first aid Kit to support our members of all ages.

Sponsored by 776BC

Hosted by Drew Ginn OAM OLY

Guest Sean Colgan

Published by Nicholas Finster

Mark Fangen-Hall - Head Coach Oxford University Boat Club

In this episode Drew Ginn OAM OLY talks to Mark Fangen-Hall Head Coach Oxford University Boat Club Head Coach.  Mark talks through his experiences in Australia and delves into the mechanics and experiences at the Boat Race, 2025.

Who is Mark Fangen-Hall?

Mark Fangen-Hall is the Head Coach of Oxford University Boat Club, having previously worked with Eton College, Mercantile Rowing Club, Rowing Australia and Belfast Rowing Club.

Why does this conversation matter?

Mark shares his experiences through being the Head Coach at Mercantile Rowing Club from 2011.  They talk through:

• The importance of getting the culture right and how Mercantile Rowing Club had this right
• The infamous Mercantile Rowing Club Breakfast on Saturdays 
• Rowing on the Yarra River, Melbourne Australia
• Balancing Rowing and studies at Oxford University 
• An insight into the Cambridge-Oxford Boat Race, preparation and rowing season
• The insights into the 2025 Boat Race, hype, challenges, media 
• The training program and technical approach at Oxford, what will athletes experience when they walk into the Boat Club
• Mark’s early days rowing at Leander Rowing Club
• Mark shares his journey in understanding his role as a coach, creating the right environment for athletes to thrive and how he learnt the essence of becoming a coach to support athletes.
• Mercantile Rowing Clubs shared purpose in providing athletes with an experience rowing at the Henley Rowing Regatta

This conversation is for coaches, athletes and parents in learning about differences in rowing in the UK and the journey to being a good coach and learning your purpose.

Proudly Sponsored by 776BC

Hosted by Drew Ginn

Guest Mark Fangen-Hall

Published by Nicholas Finster

Annie Anezakis from Melbourne to Princeton to Oxford

Who is Annie Anezakis?

Annie Anezakis was drawn to Rowing at St Catherine’s School through learning to row to becoming a National Champion.  She was determined to forge a path through opportunities in the US and was fortunate to be offered a place at Princeton in the lightweight program.  She then went on to study at Oxford University and racing The Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race and leading Oxford University Women’s Program as President of the Club.

Why does this conversation matter?

Annie’s journey shows young athletes at school, how a path through international experiences can look like.  She has learned a lot from others around her and has forged a path through rowing and study to achieve her goal.  She is now studying Medicine as a post graduate degree, having an undergraduate degree in Science and Pharmacy.They talk through:

• ​What Annie loved at school, teamwork, building a performance program and being guided by coaches
• ​Transition to the Club based program at Mercantile Rowing Club and being inspired by the athletes around her at the club
• ​Her time at Princeton training and studying; training designed around university
• ​What training looks like and technical differences
• ​Learning, growth and challenges at Oxford University and loving every minute of it
• ​What it means to race in The Oxford- Cambridge Boat Race

This conversation is important for athletes and parents in interested in Rowing opportunities overseas.

Proudly supported by 776BC

Hosted by Drew Ginn

Guest Anne Anezakis

Published by Nicholas Finster

Who is Andrew Fooks?

Andrew Fooks is the Director and Sports Physiotherapist at Renew Physiotherapy.  Andrew has been a physio with the Australian Rowing team since 2012,  Kookaburras Men’s Hockey Team since 2008 as well as the Victorian Institute of Sport from 2006.
Andrew’s philosophy in treating athletes is to carefully understand the mechanics of the sport and gain greater speed for less effort.  He seeks to improve the mechanics to make the athlete go faster and enjoys solving mechanical problems to assist athletes and coaches.

Why does this conversation matter?

Andrew Fooks has treated around 300 Australian Rowers, a few hundred school athletes in rowing and international athletes visiting Melbourne.  He has a strong desire to educate athletes and coaches.  In this conversation Drew and Andrew talk through the simple things to do in rowing to improve performance and advice for coaches. 

They talk through:

• Pain thresholds and when to seek medical attention, which pain is ok and what pain isn’t ok. 
• School age rowers; loading and progression, fluctuation in load and consistency of training
• Simple things to do coming into the sport
• Loading and the percentage of increase in the loading in training programs to minimise injury
• The importance of recovery, sleep and nutrition as the easy things to support athletes in their readiness for the next day
• When to seek medical support

This conversation is important for athletes, coaches, parents and support crew in Rowing.

Most common rowing injury – Low back injury

How to avoid a lower back injury-Flexibility around your hips and pelvis

Favourite rowing course- Bosbahn, Amsterdam

Favourite international Event- Bosbahn International Regatta, Amsterdam (2014) & Paris Olympics

Sponsored by 776BC

Hosted by Drew Ginn

Guest Andrew Fooks

Published by Nicholas Productions

Jess Morrison OAM OLY: Transitioning from Swimming to Olympic Gold

In this episode Drew caught up with Tokyo Olympic Gold Medallist and Paris Olympic Bronze Medallist Jess Morrison OAM OLY.  This conversation shares Jess’ journey from High Performance Swimming at the AIS to Olympic Gold in Rowing. 

Who is Jess Morrison?

Mercantillian Jess Morrison OAM OLY is an Australian representative rower and three time Olympian. She is an Australian national champion and won two silver medals at the 2019 World Rowing Championships. She competed in the Australian women's eight at the 2016 Summer Olympics and in two boats at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics doubling up in the coxless pair and the coxless four. In the four at the Tokyo 2020 she won a gold medal and became an Olympic champion.  Jess went on to Bronze in the Paris 2024 Olympics in the Women’s Pair with long time pair partner Annabelle McIntyre.

Why does this conversation matter?

In this conversation Jess share’s, her journey from Swimming at the AIS on scholarship to Rowing, with Kim Brennan OAM encouraging and mentoring her through her journey.  Jess shares her vulnerabilities in learning to row and striving to be the best, whilst the learning to row part was the barrier.  Her determination and persistence drove her to achieving her goal, through strategic competitive planning and respecting her teammates for who they are.  This story provides insights into a journey  spanning 10 years. 

Jess shares the competitiveness from within the National Training Centre program in training on and off the water that made their squad perform to an exceptionally high standard. Her experience training with Mercantile Radio guest Rosie Popa OAM OLY during Covid and leading into Olympic Gold in the Coxless Four in Tokyo.  Jess shares her experience leading into the Paris Olympics and the synergies and differences she and Annabelle McIntyre OAM OLY brought to the Coxless pair spanning 5 years.  

Sponsored by 776BC

Hosted by Drew Ginn

Guest Jess Morrison OAM OLY

Published by Nicholas Finster

Rosie Popa OAM OLY: Rosie’s journey to Olympic Gold and life after rowingIn this episode Drew caught up with Tokyo Olympic Gold Medalist Rosie Popa OAM OLY.  This conversation provides insight into Rosies  journey in Rowing as the daughter of two Olympians, finding herself through rowing and being a dual citizen, Australian and United States of America. 

Who is Rosie Popa?

Rosie Popa OAM OLY started her rowing journey at Caulfield Grammar and transitioned into rowing at Banks Rowing Club, before attending UC Berkely.  RRosie rowed for the United States un the U23 team and then rowed for Australia in the Senior Team.  Rosie is an Olympic Gold Medalist in the Women’s Coxless Four in Tokyo 2020.  She then went to complete her MBA at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School. 

Why does this conversation matter?

This conversation Rosie shares her journey and vulnerabilities in her rowing journey.  She learnt how to take responsibility for her own performance and how transactional the rowing performance piece is, in the high performance environment.  She talks through her own learning in buying into the process, taking control and the agency in knowing the limits to prevent injury.

Rosie’s story is unique and provides athletes around the world with an insight into her journey and her reflections on her experiences.  This story shows Rosie’s exploration of what her rowing journey meant to her, in her life after rowing, a process that she has purposefully explored in her retirement.  Many athletes don’t process these experiences and are left sitting with them for decades. Enjoy her story, it’s a great story for Men and Women in any sport.

Sponsored by 776BC

Hosted by Drew Ginn

Guest Rosie Popa OAM OLY

Produced by Nicholas Finster

James Tomkins OAM OLY: The Journey of Australia's Most Awarded Oarsman

In this episode Drew caught up with his old team mate James Tomkins.  This conversation provides insight into James’ journey into rowing as a school boy to becoming Australia’s most awarded oarsman.  He is a seven-time World Champion and a three-time Olympic gold medalist.

Who is James Tomkins?

James is the only person ever to be a world champion in every class of sweep boat having won gold in the Coxed and Coxless Pair, Coxed and Coxless Four and the Eight. He has won seven World Championships. He has only won two non-gold World Championship medals. At the Olympic Games he has three Gold, a Silver and a Bronze medal. Renowned for his superb technique, James is one of the best rowers Australia has ever produced and one of the greatest rowers in World Rowing. 

Why does this conversation matter?

This conversation allows an insight into the journey, experiences and reflections of James Tomkins in a candid conversation with his team mate Drew Ginn.  James and Drew go through James’ journey through school, rowing at Mercantile and the excitement of rowing with James’ mentors and idols.  James goes into the fears, failures and triumphs through his career.  This conversation is a great listen for athletes young and old, to know that each athlete has a journey, no two are the same.  James openness to share his story and journey is a great opportunity for others to learn from one of the greats in Australian and World Rowing.

Proudly Sponsored by 776BC

Hosted by Drew Ginn

Guest James Tomkins OAM OLY

Published by Finster Productions

Experience goes along way with Noel Donaldson ASM, Mercantile Director of Coaching

In this episode, Drew Ginn OAM interviews Noel Donaldson ASM Director of Coaching at Mercantile Rowing Club. 

Who is Noel Donaldson?

Noel is an expert in rowing, best known for coaching the iconic Oarsome Foursome in back to back Olympic gold medals and has led both the Australia and New Zealand National Teams as Head Coach.  After 7 years at the helm of Rowing New Zealand, Noel has returned to Melbourne and is the current Head Coach at Melbourne Grammar School.  He brings a wealth of experience and supports Scott Rowe and the Mercantile coaching team.

Why does this conversation matter?

Noel Donaldson and Drew Ginn have a long standing relationship as coach and athlete.  This conversation provides an insight into Noel and Drew, in their experience over many years, and Noels laser focus on high performance and developing the next generation of rowers to come through Mercantile, Victoria and Australia.  This conversation is a great opportunity to learn from one of the greats in Australia and Internationally.

Check out Mercantile Radio for your chance to win 776BC apparel each episode. Listen in and email your response to [email protected] to be in the running!

Supported by 776BC

Hosted by Drew Ginn OAM

Guest Noel Donaldson, Director of Coaching,  Mercantile Rowing Club

Published by Finster Productions

In this episode of Mercantile Radio, we sit down with Scott Rowe, the newly appointed head coach at Mercantile Rowing Club. From his early days coxing alongside his brother to leading crews on international waters, Scott shares insights into his coaching journey, philosophy and aspirations for the club.