From the 'Tin Shed' to the World Stage: Seven KAND Representatives Set for 2026 World Rowing Championships

Aug 9
3 min read

Updated: Aug 9

KAND Rowing Club will have a significant presence on the world stage at the 2026 World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam, with seven KAND athletes and coaches selected across the Australian and New Zealand teams.

The Championships will be held from 24–30 August on Amsterdam’s renowned Bosbaan international course. Australia has named crews across 13 boats spanning its Men’s, Women’s and Para rowing programs, following an extensive selection process including trials in Australia and Italy and performances at World Cup III in Lucerne.

For KAND, the selections represent an exciting cross-section of the club’s high-performance community, with representation across senior and Para rowing, international coaching and two national teams.

Mitch Salisbury – Senior Men’s Eight

Mitch Salisbury has been selected in the Australian Senior Men’s Eight, continuing his progression at the highest level of international rowing. The crew heads to Amsterdam following an impressive Bronze Medal performance at World Cup III in Lucerne and will be looking to build on that result against the world’s best.

Patrick Long – Senior Men’s Eight

Joining Mitch in the Australian Senior Men’s Eight is fellow KAND athlete Patrick Long. The pair form part of a crew that impressed in Lucerne, with selectors retaining the core of the Bronze Medal-winning Eight for the World Championships.

Jackson Free – Australian Senior Men’s Quadruple Scull

*Jackson Free (pictured 3 Seat) in the Mens Quad*

Jackson Free has been selected in the Australian Senior Men’s Quadruple Scull, continuing another strong season at senior international level. The Quad combination that reached the A-Final at World Cup III in Lucerne has been retained for Amsterdam, with Jackson racing alongside Johnson Daubney, Marcus Della Marta and Cormac Kennedy-Leverett.

Toby Goffsassen PLY – Australian PR3 Mixed Coxed Four

KAND Paralympian Toby Goffsassen PLY has been selected in Australia’s PR3 Mixed Coxed Four. The crew heads to Amsterdam after winning Bronze at World Cup III in Lucerne, with Toby continuing his representation of Australia at the highest level of Para rowing.

Ella Cossill – New Zealand Women’s Four & Women’s Eight

*Ella in the NZ Womens 4- and 8+ (pictured bow seat)*

KAND athlete Ella Cossill will also take to the world stage representing New Zealand, racing across two events in Amsterdam: the Women’s Coxless Four and Women’s Eight.

Ella’s selection adds another international dimension to KAND’s representation at the Championships and continues her impressive progression within New Zealand’s senior rowing program.

Chris Holliday – Coach, PR1 Men’s Single Scull

KAND High Performance Manager Chris Holliday has been selected as coach of the PR1 Men’s Single Scull, coaching Australian Paralympian Erik Horrie OAM PLY.

Horrie heads into the World Championships following a Silver Medal performance at World Cup III in Lucerne and will extend his remarkable international career representing Australia. Chris is officially named by Rowing Australia as Horrie’s coach for the PR1 Men’s Single Scull in Amsterdam.

Darcy Watter – Senior Men’s Spare

Darcy Watter has been selected as a Senior Men’s Spare for the World Championships, another significant achievement in his progression through the Australian high-performance pathway. His selection adds further KAND representation to the Australian Men’s Team for the Championships.

Having KAND athletes and coaches represented across two nations, multiple senior crews, Para rowing and coaching marks another proud milestone for the club and reflects the depth of its high-performance community.

From athletes progressing through national pathways to established senior internationals, Paralympians and internationally recognised coaching expertise, KAND’s presence in Amsterdam reflects a culture built around supporting people with the ambition and commitment to perform at the highest levels of the sport.

KAND congratulates Mitch, Patrick, Jackson, Toby, Chris, Ella and Darcy on their selection and wishes them, their crews and both the Australian and New Zealand teams every success on the world stage.