Team

Beth Bryan

Head Rowing Coach

A recognised figure in the world of rowing, Beth brings a wealth of experience and passion to her role as Head Coach at the Red Shed. Hailing from the northeast of England, Beth’s journey began when she was identified through GB Rowing’s talent program. Her distinguished career spans over six years on the international stage, where she represented Great Britain, earning accolades such as World Senior and Under 23 medals in the women’s quad and eight categories respectively. Beyond her achievements in rowing, Beth’s endeavours extend to ultra-marathon swimming, including conquering the English Channel.

Beth’s transition from elite athlete to coach has been seamless, marked by her dedication to fostering positive change within the sporting community. Her commitment to excellence is evident in her coaching endeavours, which range from leading her own swim school to recent coaching responsibilities at Canberra Grammar School. Beth’s unwavering passion for cultivating high-performance environments and her belief in the power of sport to unite and inspire make her a formidable asset to the Red Shed.

Beth is poised to lead the Red Shed community towards a shared mission of ‘Rowing for All,’ where individuals of all levels can experience the joy and fulfillment that rowing brings.

Sonja Balic

General Manager

Although new to rowing, Sonja brings a wealth of experience with over five years of professional tennis and an extensive background in sports management. Her expertise spans various settings, including schools, universities, community sporting clubs, and state sporting bodies.

Sonja’s passion for ‘Sport for All’ and sports development is evident in her achievement of establishing Blind and Low Vision Tennis in NSW and ACT. Her recent leadership role in coordinating high-performance sport clubs and their athletes at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) underscores her exceptional skills in sports management.

In addition to her practical experience, Sonja is also a dedicated educator. She tutors at UTS in subjects such as Sport & Society, Sport Business and Practice, and has been recognized with teaching awards for her excellence. She holds a Bachelor of Sport Science Management and a Master of Sport Management from UTS, and is currently pursuing a Juris Doctor.

Sonja’s commitment to creating opportunities at every level in sports will be a tremendous asset to the team at Red Shed.

Reuben Bettle

Volunteer Champion

Reuben’s lifelong love of rowing started in his early teens travelling to rowing events across the country with his mates as their coxswain. Since then, rowing’s been a constant, whether it’s been hardcore training, coaching, or now more likely social rowing, coming full circle.

Reuben feels lucky to have been supported by so many wonderful, selfless volunteers while rowing and coaching. Likewise, while working at three Olympics he worked alongside exceptional volunteers who embraced the experience while giving so much of themselves. Drawing upon these experiences, as Volunteer Champion, Reuben’s keen to ensure our Red Shed community can contribute in meaningful ways in an inclusive, fulfilling and fun environment while receiving the recognition they truly deserve.