WHY: The short version is that after the U23 Australian Rowing Selection Trials in April, I was fortunate enough to be selected to represent Australia in the Men's Single Scull at the 2026 FISU World University Championships in Canada.

I am incredibly excited and honoured to pull on the green and gold yet, like many international rowing campaigns, there are significant costs involved, including travel, accommodation, team levies, and preparation expenses. I'm therefore raising funds to help make this opportunity possible and ensure I can focus on performing at my best while representing both Australia and the Canberra rowing community on the world stage.

WHO: My name is Darcy James, and I am an ACT Academy of Sport scholarship rower and a proud member of Canberra Rowing Club, where I have been rowing since 2022.

Born and raised in Canberra I came through Marist College Canberra and CRC's Junior programs, and have been fortunate to develop as both an athlete and person thanks to the incredible support of the Canberra rowing community. From my coaches and teammates at Canberra Rowing Club to the staff at ACTAS, countless people have invested their time, energy, and belief in my journey for which I cannot be more grateful.

I have been privileged to serve the club as an executive Committee Member this season and feel incredibly proud to represent CRC on the world stage. Following in in the footsteps of outstanding CRC athletes such as Cara Grzeskowiak (who competed at the 2018 FISU Worlds in the Single), I hope to do both CRC and Canberra proud.