18 June 2019
Navy Lieutenant Commander Juliet MacLean is making history for a second time, as part of the New Zealand Defence Force
rowing squad to compete for the King’s Cup.
It’s 100 years since six nations – New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and France –
competed for the Cup as troops waited to return to their home countries after the First World War.
In July those six nations will be joined by Germany and The Netherlands to race for the Cup as part of the Henley Royal
Regatta at Henley-on-Thames in England.
It will be the first time men and women have raced in the same boat at the elite, international event, and Lieutenant
CommanderMacLean said that was a “huge deal”.
“It’s 100 years since it was raced, and it’s the first time there will be mixed-gender boats, so it does feel like a big
deal,” she said.
She was particularly pleased to be showing daughter India, 10, and son Jacob, 12, that women should not be held back
simply because they’re women.
“I want India to feel as if she can do anything. Just because she’s female there’s nothing that should be unavailable to
her, including physical hard work,” she said.
Lieutenant Commander MacLean is no stranger to making history, and both times have involved rowing at Henley-on-Thames.
In 1996 she rowed for Oxford University against Cambridge in the 50th women’s Boat Race – the first time it had been
televised.
She said she rowed intensely while at university and for a few years after joining the Royal Navy as a helicopter
observer. She served for 12 years before moving to New Zealand with husband Commander Graham MacLean nine years ago and
settling in Khandallah, Wellington.
“Now I will return to represent New Zealand and our Defence Force. I think it is fantastic that the team is represented
by all three services, officers and other ranks, and men and women. It just feels really inclusive, and I am very proud
to be part of it,” she said.
“We talk about an integrated Defence Force, and here we are doing it.”
The NZDF squad for the event is: Aircraftman Alex Hill (coxswain), Major Emily Hume, Lieutenant Commander Juliet
MacLean, Corporal Rebekah Salt, Flying Officer Connor Broughton, Sub Lieutenant Rob Creasy, Lieutenant Ricky
Daniel-Nield, Lance Corporal Mark Evans, Private Ryan Flintoft, Second Lieutenant Ashton Lovell, Lance Corporal Jack
Proudfoot, Ordinary Rate Cathan Tamarapa, Rachel Gamble-Flint (coach), Wing Commander Rhys Taylor (manager).
A video of the team is at:
ends