Roger Fitzhardinge

Roger Fitzhardinge was an Australian national. Fitzhardinge represented New South Wales stroking the state’s eight in Interstate Regattas in four years (1903, 1904, 1908 and 1911) winning the event twice (1908, 1911). In 1912 an Australian eight was selected to compete at Henley and the Olympic Games in Stockholm. The joint New South Wales and Victoria crew entered at Henley as Sydney Rowing Club as only club teams were allowed. The Australian eight with Fitzhardinge on the stroke won the Royal Henley Regatta beating Leander Club in the final. In Stockholm, however, they lost the quarter-final to Leander by ½-a-length.

Fitzhardinge also acted as a selector for New South Wales in several years, first for the eight, later as state selector. In his club he served one term as vice-president. In 1932 he was assistant coach of the eight of Sydney’s St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill, winner of that year’s Head of the River Regatta.

He was married to Nancy Bird Harrison Clubbe and had two sons.