Jeff Sykes Rowing Centre honours rowing legend

Local dignitaries, donors, and the local rowing community came together on the Barwon River to celebrate the opening of the new Jeff Sykes Rowing Centre.

The new boat shed is named in honour of the enormous contribution Geelong’s Jeff Sykes has made to the sport. Jeff was also recently recognised by Rowing Australia with the privilege of Life Membership. For many the name ‘Sykes’ is synonymous with rowing.

Rowing Geelong President Sam Elliott said he was pleased to see the centre come to fruition so soon after initial talks with the major donor only two and a half years ago.

"In August 2019 the Executive was approached by a donor willing to contribute a large sum of money towards a new boatshed for Rowing Geelong,” said Mr Elliott. "That very kind donation, along with other donations from the general rowing community and funds from Rowing Geelong, has led to the creation of the facility we have today.”

Jeff’s history includes medal wins at World Rowing, Rowing Australia, and Rowing Victoria Championships. He famously founded and developed ‘Sykes Racing’ into a world-class rowing boat provider in Geelong and since, the majority of medals awarded in Australia have been won in a Sykes.

Following a lifetime with rowing, Jeff’s wish is to give back to the sport and community he loves. To this end, Jeff has been a substantial founding donor in the hope that Geelong youngsters will also experience the great joy rowing has brought him.

The Jeff Sykes Rowing Centre provides school students from the wider Geelong region with not only a place to store boats but also offers change rooms, a kitchen, a large meeting room and a high-tech coaches room.

"Rowing Geelong is very humbled by the incredible generosity of our financial and in-kind donors that have enabled the Centre to be wholly community funded," Mr Elliott said. "When we set out to fundraise for the Centre, we never expected the community to donate like they have. We are very grateful."

Rowing Geelong also thanked the construction partner, Spence Constructions, for delivering such an incredible facility with high quality finishes. Despite the challenges around COVID-19 restrictions and supply shortages in the construction industry, Spence Constructions were able to handover the Centre prior to commencement of the rowing season.

StratHouse services provided pro-bono to Rowing Geelong to support the fundraising effort.