Rowing Mini Season in Australia

We have links with a wide range of fantastic Australian rowing clubs who will welcome you as a new member. Get ready for plenty of banter - the Aussies love to have a laugh with their new Pommey team mates!

Club structure

Rowing clubs generally have multiple streams. There is usually an ‘elite stream’ geared towards producing world-class rowers. This stream comprises promising young rowers, state and Australian representatives. Rowers who are part of this stream train once or twice a day, 5-6 days a week. There’s also a ‘club stream’ which is made up of rowers of all abilities. Rowers in this stream usually train 3 – 4 times during the week and participate in regattas at weekends. As clubs have lots of members and different streams they’re able to accommodate rowers of all abilities and you’ll be assigned to an appropriate crew when you arrive.

Regattas and competitions

Rowing clubs take part in regattas throughout the season. Most crews are formed in September/October and train towards state and national championships which are usually held in February and March. If you’re selected for national championships you’ll get to race against Australia’s best rowers and there’s a good chance you’ll get to visit another city.

Off the water

With so many members, your club will be a hive of social activity. There’ll be drinks after training and regattas plus social events throughout the season - pub crawls, BBQs by the river and an end of season dinner. Many clubs also arrange training camps, a great chance to get to know your teammates whilst exploring a new part of Oz.

Rowing development

Our clubs are selected for their high quality coaching and facilities, helping you to return home as a much improved rower.

...and finally

What are you waiting for? Get out there and show the Aussies how it’s done!

You’ll have plenty of spare time between training and competing if you’d like to get a job. As well as enhancing your CV and boosting your bank balance, working overseas will help you meet new people and provide more structure to your time away.

Top tips for getting work

• Plan the type of work you'd like to obtain

• Try to gain relevant work experience

• Prepare a CV and have two references

• Be proactive & persistent in job hunting

Employment options

• Café/bar work: sociable environment

• Office work: good rates of pay

• Coaching: fulfilling and well paid

• Work experience: boost your CV

Working in Australia

You’ll be living close to lots of employment options like offices, shops, bars and restaurants. Contacts at your sport club might also help you to find coaching work.

In addition, your mentor will provide guidance on working in Australia but you should ensure you’re well prepared as the job market can be as competitive as the sports arena!

Making the most of your time away

Travelling to the other side of the world to play sport is a truly once in a lifetime experience. So all Sport Lived programmes are designed to make sure that both your sporting life, and your social life, are as action packed and exciting as possible. That’s why you’ll always get…

Social events with Sport Lived

The cities you can visit with Sport Lived are some of the most exciting and welcoming on the planet, and there always seems to be something interesting going on. So to help you make the most of your time away, our local staff organise social events like trips to top sporting occasions, surfing lessons, welcome dinners and loads more besides. They’ll also try to assist you get tickets to events you want to watch while you're away, and give you expert advice on the best things to see and do in the city.

Membership of a local sports club

One of the best things about travelling with Sport Lived is that we arrange for you to join a local sports club. We handpick clubs with lots of members and different teams - some of whom have regular social events. Some clubs may offer preseason tours, and in the past some clubs have organised welcome events for new players. Trust us, you’ll feel like an old hand within a few days and the other members will make sure there’s never a dull moment!

A great place to stay in the centre of town

We offer programmes in some fantastic cities, and we know that to make the most of your time away, you need to be right in the centre of the action. So we make sure that your accommodation is in the heart of the city - just a short walk away from all the best cafes, restaurants, bars, shops and pretty much anything else you’ll ever need.

Like minded flatmates

Having a few friends to share your experiences with is a huge part of any foreign trip – they make the whole experience loads easier and loads more fun. So you’ll always share your swish city centre accommodation with other Sport Lived participants - that way you’ll have a ready-made group of friends from the minute you step off the plane!

Career enhancing experiences

Your Sport Lived adventure is the perfect time to get work experience and demonstrate the skills that universities and future employers look for - your Sport Lived work experience will help set you apart.

Independence and initiative

Sport Lived will provide loads of help when you're looking for part-time work but ultimately it's down to you to get out there and make it happen. Showing a prospective employer that you've managed to find, secure and maintain a job in an overseas country is highly impressive.

Teamwork

Teamwork is at the heart of the Sport Lived experience. Living, playing and training alongside a new group of friends is a great way to develop strong social skills and show that you're a real team player.

Personal development

Joining a new sports club, living in an overseas city and securing a job are exciting challenges that will enable you to grow as an individual, leaving you ready to tackle whatever lies ahead after your Sport Lived experience.

Work experience

Living overseas is a great time to think about gaining invaluable work experience in a field you're considering as a career. Sport Lived participants have volunteered in hospitals, law firms and newspaper offices. Such work demonstrates commitment and initiative.

Your home from home

When you travel to Australia with Sport Lived, we arrange quality accommodation for you. Which means you can rest easy knowing you’ll have a comfortable and secure new home from the day you arrive. You’ll share a premium 4-star apartment with other Sport Lived participants, giving you an instant group of friends to share your new adventures with.

Central downtown location

Your apartment is in the centre of Melbourne, with a great selection of restaurants, bars, cafes, shops and entertainment on your doorstep. Melbourne’s excellent public transport system is close by, making for easy travel to your sports club and for exploring the city’s attractions.

About your apartment

You’ll share a twin room with another Sport Lived participant, in either a two or three-bedroomed apartment. All apartments have 24-hour reception and are fully furnished, with a well-equipped kitchen, washing machine, comfortable living area, TV and bed linen. They’re also serviced weekly so you can make the most of your free time in this inspiring city.

• Fully-serviced 4-star apartments (twin rooms)
• Close to transport, shops, cafes and nightlife
• Share with other Sport Lived participants
• Relax – most bills are included

We understand that moving to Australia is a big step – albeit an incredibly exciting one! That’s why we’re here to support you every step of the way, from help and advice as you book your trip, to being there for you from the moment you land in Melbourne and throughout your stay.

In-person support from day one

A member of the Sport Lived team in Melbourne will be in touch before you leave home and welcome you at the airport on your arrival. They’ll help you settle in to your apartment and introduce you to other Sport Lived participants – you’ll soon have new friends to explore this great city with.

Explore with us

During your stay in Melbourne, Sport Lived staff are on hand to help you make the very most of your time. They’ll organise social events, including beach BBQs and dinners out, as well as arrange tickets for major sporting events and day trips to go surfing on the Mornington Peninsular. They’ll give you expert, insider advice on the best things to see and do in the city and further afield too – after all, there’s a whole new continent to explore!

Finding work

Many of our participants choose to find part-time work during their time here, in between their playing or coaching commitments. It’s a great way to meet new people and add new skills to your CV. If you’re interested in finding work, we’ll give you contact details for companies who regularly need casual staff to help you get started with your job search.