Champion rower retires after a glittering career

One of New Zealand’s most successful rowers, Grace Prendergast has announced her retirement from high performance rowing.

The two-time Olympian leaves rowing after a career where she claimed 15 National Premier titles, five World Championship titles, and two Olympic medals (gold and silver).

Grace Prendergast and Kerri Williams, 2022 World Champions
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

“Rowing has shaped me into the person I am today and I never could have imagined the impact that it would have on my life. I achieved more than I ever thought I was capable of and although I’ll miss everything that rowing has given me, I feel l have fulfilled my dreams and am proud of the career I have had,” Prendergast said.

“I’m fortunate to have so many amazing memories to look back on and celebrate, but it is the people who will stand out the most. I owe so much to so many people and leave still loving the sport, the team, and everything that it has taught me”.

Prendergast began her rowing career in Christchurch, rowing for Villa Maria College and Avon Rowing Club.

She represented New Zealand for the first time at the 2010 World Rowing Junior Championships in the coxless four, winning gold with teammates Eve Macfarlane, Jenny Storey and Bea Heaphy-Hall.

In 2012 Prendergast she was part of the Under 23 women’s four, before making her senior debut in the women’s eight at the 2013 World Rowing Championships.

In 2014 Prendergast and Kerri Williams (Gowler) won the women’s pair at the Under 23 World Championships.

In 2015 she cemented herself as an integral part of the New Zealand women’s sweep squad, rowing in both the women’s pair and the women’s eight at the World Rowing Championships, walking away with two silver medals and gaining Olympic qualification in both events.

The following year saw Grace become part of history when she was selected into the first ever women’s eight to compete at an Olympic Games. The crew finished 4th in an extremely tight field at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

From 2017 Prendergast and Williams became one of the most dominant sweep rowers on the international scene.

The pair were an almost unbeatable combination in the women’s pair field that culminated in an Olympic gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, all while being a vital part of the women’s eight which also won a silver medal at the Tokyo Games.

Throughout her time in the Rowing NZ team, Prendergast completed a Bachelor of Business Studies and Master of Business Studies through Massey University, and following the Tokyo Olympics has completed a Masters of Philosophy in Planning, Growth and Regeneration at Cambridge University, while also winning the prestigious Cambridge – Oxford Boat Race. In doing so, she became one of only a handful of people to win the Boat Race, an Olympic Gold and World Championship Gold.

In 2022 Prendergast and Williams combined for what would be their final international season in the women’s pair where, true to form, the duo won gold at the 2022 World Rowing Championships in Racice, Czech Republic, in September.

In June 2022, Grace, along with NZ Rowing team members Kerri Williams and Emma Twigg, was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to sport.