Row Ontario Staff Update
Row Ontario announced their newest staff member on Tuesday as Kate Savage was named the organizations Domestic Rowing Manager.
Savage is well-versed in rowing as a competitor, coach, and club administrator and joins Row Ontario after most recently working as the Manager of Camp Operations with Easter Seals Ontario.
“We are very excited to announce Kate as Row Ontario’s new Domestic Rowing Manager,” said Andrew Backer, CEO of Row Ontario. “Kate has a diverse background in rowing and her knowledge in different areas of the sport, as well as her professional experience, makes her a natural fit for this position. We’re looking forward to Kate joining our staff team in November and I have no doubt she’ll be a great addition.”
A native of Perth, Ont., Savage’s involvement in rowing began as a novice competitor with the University of Ottawa in 2007. She rowed with the Gee-Gees for four years and steadily progressed up the sport, earning a spot on the National Team and winning a gold medal in the U23 women’s 8+ at the World Rowing Championships in 2011. She spent five more years in the National Team program, earning World Cup medals in the 4x and 8+, winning a silver medal in the 4x at the 2013 World Championships and a gold in the 4x at the 2015 Pan Am Games.
After retiring from competitive rowing in 2016, Savage stayed involved in the sport by becoming a volunteer coach with the Ottawa Rowing Club and the University of Ottawa from 2016-2020. She also served on the ORC’s Board of Directors as the VP of Administration from 2017-2021 and became the Program Facilitator for the Let’s Row Ottawa Program, an initiative aimed at introducing rowing to local high school students, while promoting health and well-being. Most recently she began training to become a licensed umpire. Her work at Easter Seals Ontario included overseeing the development and delivery of recreation and camp programs for children, youth, and young adults with physical disabilities.
“I am thrilled with this opportunity to return to rowing, in a capacity that combines my own athletic experience and love for the sport, with my professional skills and passion for inclusive recreation,” said Savage. “There is great potential to diversify and grow the sport of rowing in Ontario, and I am excited to be a part of the team driving these initiatives forward.”
Savage will begin her position as Domestic Rowing Manager with Row Ontario on Nov. 1.
