Timothy W Masters
Banks Rowing Club (VIC) then UTS Rowing Club (NSW)
Tim Master, affectionately known as “Bull,” began his remarkable rowing journey at Melbourne Grammar School in 2009. His first eight team went undefeated, capturing the National Title in Tasmania and triumphing at the Head of the River. In 2010, after graduating, he joined Banks Rowing Club, where he showcased his immense talent by winning the Youth Interstate Eight. That winter, under the guidance of coach Nick Lloyd, he raced at the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta in the Fawley Cup, where they celebrated a hard-fought victory.
Tim's ambition led him across the globe to Princeton University, where he rowed in the varsity boat from 2011 to 2015. In 2011, he made a splash at the Under-23 level in Australia, earning medals in both the pair and four, before competing in the U23 Eight in Amsterdam, where they secured seventh place by winning the B Final. The following year, Tim continued his ascent, representing Australia at Henley in the Stewards Challenge Cup and claiming victory. He then went on to race at the Under-23 Championships in Lithuania, where he helped his crew secure a silver medal. In 2014, he added two more silvers to his collection in the four and the eight, solidifying his status as a rising star.
2014 Silver medal eight at the Under 23 Championships - Tim second from right
Photo from the Michael Sim collection
After completing his time at Princeton, Tim returned to Australia, shifting his focus to UTS Haberfield under the mentorship of Tim McLaren. In 2016, he achieved a significant milestone, winning his first King’s Cup for Victoria and earning a spot in the Men’s Eight for the Final Qualification Regatta, though they narrowly missed out on qualifying, finishing fourth.
2016 King's Cup presentation by His Excellency the Governor General Hon David Hurley and congratulations from Rob Scott President Rowing Australia
Photo credit: Andrew Guerin
With the establishment of the National Training Centres in 2017, Tim relocated to Canberra, where he was selected for the Men’s Eight. His efforts paid off with a silver medal at World Cup III, and he capped off the year by finishing eighth at the World Championships. The following year, 2018, marked a turning point as he experienced tremendous success in the international season, winning the Grand Challenge Cup at Henley and setting a new course record. Just a week later, he added another silver in the men’s eight at the World Cup in Lucerne. At the World Championships, Tim's crew made history as the fastest Australian eight of all time, finishing with an incredible time of 5:19.25 and earning a silver medal—his first senior medal, a true testament to his hard work and dedication.
2018 World Championships - Tim front second from right
Photo from Rowing Australia
In 2019, Tim shifted to the four for the World Cup season, dominating both events to secure gold. After further trials, he returned to the eight for the World Championships, just missing a bronze medal with a fourth-place finish, but they qualified for the Tokyo Olympics—an incredible achievement.
In 2021, Tim earned his spot in the Men’s Eight for the Olympics. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Australian team was unable to race in Europe, and they ultimately finished sixth in the final at the Games.
2020 Olympic Eight - Tim in six seat
Photo from the Sim collection
After taking a year away from rowing, Tim returned to Australia in 2023, rejoining the Men’s Eight. His comeback was nothing short of spectacular, with a silver medal at World Cup II and a gold at World Cup III. At the World Championships, he helped secure a bronze medal, reaffirming his status as a top competitor. In 2024, he clinched his second King’s Cup for Victoria and earned selection for the men’s four at the Olympics, where the crew won silver at World Cup III and ultimately placed sixth at the Olympic Games.
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2024 King's Cup presentation - Tim back row centre
Photo: Andrew Guerin
Tim Master’s journey is a powerful narrative of determination, resilience, and triumph—a testament to his unwavering passion for rowing and his commitment to excellence.
Some rowing highlights
2009 - APS Head of the River, MGS first VIII - First
2009 National Championship Schoolboy Men’s Eight – First
2010 National Championship Under 19 Men's Coxless Pair – Third
2010 National Championship Under 23 Men’s Coxed Four – First
2010 National Championship Interstate Youth Men’s Eight – First
2010 Henley Royal Regatta the Fawley Challenge Cup – First
2011 National Championship Under 23 Men’s Coxless Pair – Third
2011 National Championship Under 23 Men's Coxed Four – Second
2011 National Championship Open Club Men's Four – First
2011 World Rowing Under 23 Championships Men’s Eight – Seventh
2012 Henley Royal Regatta the Stewards’ Challenge Cup – First
2012 World Rowing Under 23 Championships Men’s Four – Second
2013 World Rowing Under 23 Championships Men’s Four – Second
2014 World Rowing Under 23 Championships Men’s Eight – Second
2016 National Championship Interstate Men's Eight – First
2016 FISA European and Final Olympic Qualification Regatta Men’s Eight – Fourth
2017 National Championship Interstate Men's Eight – Second
2017 World Rowing Cup II Men’s Eight – Fourth
2017 World Rowing Cup III Men’s Eight – Second
2017 World Rowing Championship – Eighth
2018 National Championship Interstate Men's Eight – Second
2018 World Rowing Cup II – Fifth
2018 Henley Royal Regatta the Grand Challenge Cup – First
2018 World Rowing Cup III Men’s Eight – Second
2018 World Rowing Championship Men’s Eight – Second
2019 National Championship Interstate Men's Eight – Second
2019 World Rowing Cup II Men’s Four – First
2019 World Rowing Cup III Men’s Four – First
2019 World Rowing Championship Men’s Eight – Fourth
2021 Tokyo Olympic Games Men’s Eight – Sixth
2023 National Championship Open Men’s Four – Third
2023 National Championship Open Men’s Eight – Second
2023 National Championship Interstate Men's Eight – Second
2023 World Rowing Cup II Men’s Eight – Second
2023 World Rowing Cup III Men’s Eight – First
2023 World Rowing Championship Men’s Eight – Third
2024 National Championship Open Men’s Four – Third
2024 National Championship Open Men’s Eight – Second
2024 National Championship Interstate Men's Eight – First
2024 World Rowing Cup II Men’s Four – Fourth
2024 World Rowing Cup III Men’s Four – First
2024 Paris Olympic Games Men’s Four – Sixth
Jack Hargreaves
October 2024
Sources
- Author's own records and recollections
- Rowing Manager
- World Rowing website