22 March; Mrinal Asija
The last few months have been nothing short of a whirlwind for rower Romy Cantwell. The University of Melbourne student-athlete graduated with a Bachelor of Biomedicine degree, got accepted into the Doctor of Medicine program, and was announced as the recipient of the Jopling Family Rowing Scholarship. The wins have kept on coming for Romy, as she has now been named in the Australian squad for the U23 World Championships, which will be held in Canada in August.
The Jopling Family Rowing Scholarship provides financial support and other in-kind assistance to two University of Melbourne student-athletes who have demonstrated excellence in both academics and rowing, with leadership qualities that espouse active citizenship and a commitment to helping others. The scholarship aims to support highly talented young rowers in receiving quality education and to inspire them to give back to the community. Since its inception in 2020, the Jopling Family Scholarship has supported three accomplished rowers, who have been able to achieve great success in the sport while pursuing their education at the University of Melbourne. One of them is current Jopling Scholar and Juris Doctor student-athlete Eliza Gaffney, who has represented Australia at senior and age-group levels.
It is Melbourne University Boat Club’s remarkable record of representation in the national teams that encourages Romy to dream big for her future in rowing and she considers herself lucky to have decided to join MUBC. “I chose MUBC for the amazing support I got from the coaches when I first approached the Club. I felt so welcomed by all the youth girls rowing there that season and this culture has only grown.”
While Romy had plenty of success at the junior level, she wanted to consider a pathway towards studying medicine after finishing school. “Melbourne University aligned with a lot of my values at the time because I was inspired by the idea of doing an undergraduate course, having a few years to expose myself to new clubs, new social groups, whilst all still being able to enjoy my rowing relatively stress free and a lot more focussed on just living the student experience,” she spoke of her motivation to study Biomedicine at the University of Melbourne.
Despite competing in rowing at the national and international levels, Romy was able to finish her undergraduate course studying full-time. While living on the campus (Trinity College) helped, and she had the support of the Club staff, balancing sport and study was a demanding task. “There are definitely many sacrifices you make when you have such big goals in life no matter what they are, and I certainly felt that weight when I had to opt out of social events I really wanted to be involved in,” she said, adding that she has no regrets. “People often ask me why I do it and for me it has always been so simple, I just love the sport and I love the challenge, so it has never really felt like a chore to me.”
Romy admitted to experiencing the imposter syndrome on being offered a place in the Doctor of Medicine program and feels that the Jopling Family Scholarship will help her in her dual pursuit. “The Jopling Scholarship has meant so much to me in terms of reassurance that I have people that support me and that I’m not at all out of place. The support motivates me to continue the amazing legacy that the Elite Athlete Program at the University fosters already. The history of national representative athletes who have managed to balance full-time study is a legacy I know is so important in motivating the next generation, and I'm so honoured to be a part of this leadership.”
Romy has surprised herself by making it to the Australian U23 team in the first year of rowing in a scull boat after switching from sweep. She is focused on getting better and putting up a good show at the international regatta and is brimming with hope of reaching greater heights in her rowing career.
The Jopling Family Scholarships have been made possible due to the generosity of Mr Peter Jopling AM QC (LLB) in honour of his father, Mr John Jopling Jr and his passion for education and rowing. Mr Jopling is passionate about the importance of a quality education and the life-changing impact that such an education can have on an individual. Mr Jopling’s other great passion is the sport of rowing and its connection to the pursuit of a healthy and rewarding life.