FROM BOARDING IN ORANGE TO ROWING FOR AUSTRALIA

Isabella Scammell, a Kinross Wolaroi School alumna from the Class of 2021, developed a deep passion for rowing during her time at the School. While boarding at Kinross Wolaroi, she embraced the opportunities available, but it was the renowned rowing program that truly captured her interest. The strong sense of team and community at Kinross laid the foundation for her successful rowing career, helping her transition from school to elite competition.

“I was a boarder from Cowra and come from a very close-knit family. I started in Stuart Douglas House with Aunty Deb and then moved to New House with Mrs Callaghan, both of whom I absolutely adored and owe a lot of my wonderful Kinross Wolaroi experience to. My time in boarding was truly the highlight of my school years. It wasn’t always easy, though, especially in my early years, when I struggled with homesickness. For me, the best way to cope was to stay busy and get involved – something that was easy to do at a school like Kinross Wolaroi, full of amazing opportunities.”

One of the standout opportunities that captured her interest was the School’s renowned rowing program. With the School regularly at the forefront of Australian rowing, Isabella was inspired by the strength of the program, as well as her father’s previous involvement in the sport. She had always been intrigued by rowing and enjoyed using her father’s rowing machine as a child.

“Kinross Wolaroi’s rowing was (and still is) a force to be reckoned with,” Isabella says. “What appealed most to me was the sense of team and community we enjoyed, the sense of satisfaction gained from being out on the water first thing in the morning, and the accomplishment you felt completing tough sessions.”

Training on Spring Creek, the rowing team had the luxury of exclusive access to pristine waters, unlike the more crowded and competitive venues used by Sydney schools. Isabella cherished the opportunity to row on such beautiful waters and relished the thrill of competition, particularly when challenging Sydney’s top schools at the Sydney International Regatta Centre.

Isabella’s experience at Kinross Wolaroi was pivotal in shaping her athletic career. After graduating, she moved to Sydney, where she is now studying law at the University of Technology while pursuing her professional rowing career. The transition from high school to elite competition was smooth for Isabella, as she continues to excel in rowing. She was recently part of the Under-23 Women’s Four team, representing Australia at the World Championships in Canada–a highlight in her growing career.

“My selection into the Women’s U23 Four to compete at the 2024 U23 World Championships in Canada was extremely exciting, and a goal I had been working towards all season,” Isabella shares. “To secure a bronze medal, and the third-fastest time in this event ever, at these Championships was an incredibly rewarding and satisfying feeling.”

The training for the World Championships was gruelling. Isabella and her teammates spent over 20 hours per week in training, covering thousands of kilometres on the water, in the gym and on bikes. Despite facing injuries, the crew found strength in their teamwork and mutual trust, making the experience all the more rewarding. She also underwent a unique pre-departure camp at Princeton University before heading to Canada for the competition.

“It was surreal,” Isabella remembers. “We spent two weeks in Princeton, training at the Shea Rowing Centre on Lake Carnegie before relocating to St Catharines in Canada for the U23 World Championships.”

Isabella also recently triumphed at the 2025 Australian Rowing Championships, where she won bronze in both the Open Women’s Coxless Four and Open Women’s Coxed Eight.

As a professional athlete, Isabella faces the challenge of balancing her rowing career with the financial pressures of supporting her passion. Recently, she became one of the first recipients of the Gobbo OAM Bursary, a new initiative aimed at supporting young athletes like her as they strive for international success.

“When I found out I was a recipient of the Gobbo OAM Bursary, I felt incredibly honoured and extremely grateful,” Isabella says. “This generous support significantly eased the financial pressure on my family and me, helping to cover the cost of my seat fee for the Championships.”

Kinross Wolaroi rowing was (and still is) a force to be reckoned with. What appealed most to me was the sense of team and community we enjoyed, the sense of satisfaction gained from being out on the water first thing in the morning, and the accomplishment you felt completing tough sessions.”

Bella Scammell

Isabella’s long-term goal is to represent Australia at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and use her law degree to pursue her dream job in sports law and journalism. Balancing her demanding training schedule with university commitments is challenging, but she credits her time at Kinross Wolaroi for preparing her for this level of discipline.

“Within my rowing, I am focused on making technical, fitness and strength-based improvements, and using competitions as a good opportunity to measure these improvements and to try to make the boat go faster,” she says. “I am also focusing on staying injury-free and healthy, which has been a battle for me in the past, in order to remain consistent in my training.”

Isabella’s advice for young athletes aspiring to compete at an elite level reflects her own experiences: “Embrace every opportunity and make the most of it, especially at a school like Kinross Wolaroi, where there are so many unique and exciting opportunities to experience,” she advises. “Be open to feedback, respond to it with a growth mindset and always strive to improve. Most importantly, work hard and take pride in giving everything your best.”

With her relentless determination and disciplined approach, Isabella Scammell is well on her way to achieving her Olympic dreams, while also maintaining her commitment to her studies and personal growth.