H Tim Frederico
Mercantile Rowing Club (VIC)
Tim was a willing conscript to rowing even though he probably had no choice given that his father Hubert "Freddie" Frederico was a noted rowing coach and his grandfather Mick Williams was President of Rowing Victoria for some 20 years. Tim started coxing the Sunday morning veterans at the age of 6 years old. His younger brother Jon suffered a similar fate.
His first race was in 1969 at the Preston regatta on Edwardes Lake as a terrified nine year old coxswain of a novice pair.
Tim rapidly became a noted club coxswain even whilst at school. He steered a winning Penrith Cup crew at the age of 14 years old, even before being given the reins of his school first crew.
1975 - Interstate Championships, Penrith Cup, cox - First
1976 - APS Head of the River, Xavier College First Crew, cox - Eighth
1977 - APS Head of the River, Xavier College First Crew, cox - Eighth
He developed a great reputation as a pot hunter winning many races including one he recalls when he steered a maiden eight to victory at Nagambie, the only crew not to sink!
Tim continued coxing selected crews after school for a year or two before his weight led him into rowing. As a good pot hunter, Tim started racing in novice pairs and fours, progressing to maiden, and then to lightweight rowing.
However his great contribution was to be as a coach, particularly at the school level. He learned his coaching craft coaching at Mercantile with the lightweights with Martin Owen and achieved good success. He also undertook successful intervarsity coaching including taking an Australian universities crew on a tour to New Zealand.
His school coaching commenced at Xavier College in 1979, 80 and 81. He then moved to St Kevin's College in 1982, 1983 and 1984. He coached 3rd 4th and 5th eights in both school. He returned to both schools for second stints coaching their first crews.
After a stint of masters rowing at Mercs, Tim returned to first crew coaching, this time at Haileybury College.
Tim also was a significant administrator at the Club taking on roles such as treasurer, social manager, chairman of selectors and trustee of the Foundation.
In summary, a great Mercantile member and contributor to the sport.
Andrew Guerin
April 2021