presents
Shot on Wurundjeri and Bunurong Country
Inspired by archival Country Road Crewwear from the early
90s, we’ve created a limited-edition capsule that celebrates our
connection to the legacy of Australian sport.
The Crewwear Capsule
Reissue Australian Made Sweat
Reissue Australian Made Sweat
Reissue Australian Made Sweat
In 1990, four Australians made sporting history by winning gold at the
World Rowing Championships on Lake Barrington, Tasmania.
The crew, stroked by James Tomkins, became known as the Oarsome Foursome, and went on to launch Australia's golden era of rowing. Almost 35 years later, we welcome James, his daughters and members of the Mercantile Rowing Club to reflect on the making of an Australian legacy.
Reissue Australian Made T-Shirt
Reissue Australian Made T-Shirt
Reissue Australian Made T-Shirt
The best thing about rowing is that you actually share it with other people—the wins, the losses. There are others that know what you’ve been through.
Reissue Australian Made T-Shirt
James Tomkins at the Mercantile Rowing Club
Interview with JAMES TOMKINS OAM OLY
James, you're Australia's most decorated rower. What has been the most memorable moment of your career?
Fortunately, there are a few! The World Championships [in Tasmania] is definitely up there. But that first time in Barcelona when we won—it's one race that takes a bit under six minutes, and you win that race and your life goes off on a tangent because of it. The key thing is the people you've done it with... We still catch up with each other all the time, we're still best mates. The best thing about rowing is that you actually share it with other people—the wins, the losses. There are others that know what you've been through.
Your relationship with Country Road spans back to the 90s. Can you tell us about your history with the brand?
In 1990, Country Road came on board to outfit the Australian rowing team—we were the best-looking team on the lake bank. We had these really cool, relaxed fit tracksuits and all of the Country Road gear. Rowing was an amateur sport and not that well-known back then. To have a brand like Country Road come and support rowing was amazing because all of a sudden, we're thinking, 'Wow we're actually legit and a major brand wants to associate itself with us.'
Reissue Australian Made T-Shirt
The making of an Australian legacy
Rowing was an amateur sport and not that well-known back then. To have a brand like Country Road come and support rowing was amazing because all of a sudden, we’re thinking, ‘Wow we’re actually legit and a major brand wants to associate itself with us.’
You've spoken before about the importance of living a balanced life. Can you share a little about that?
Absolutely. I believe if you're just working 100%, it's pretty boring. Or if you're just doing sport 100%, that's pretty boring too. I was very, very fortunate to be able to maintain balance in my life. I was working in the city, then had sport, then had family—I was fortunate to have all three of those things towards the end of my career. I think it keeps things in perspective—there are other things to life rather than what you're doing right here, right now. There's lots to live for.
As an elite athlete, an important part of the mindset is about being comfortable with failure. How do you view 'failure'?
It was one of the biggest motivators for me, that fear of failure. If you lose, it's another four years until you get that chance. But when we did fail, it drove the next leg of improvement. That notion of learning from your losses is really important. If you're going well, you just keep doing what you're doing. We learned a lot from our failures.
You're a father to three daughters. What has fatherhood taught you and how has it shaped your perspective?
It becomes your reason for being—to take a child from birth to adulthood, educating them and keeping them safe. Hopefully, along the way, you provide that outlook of striving for your best, taking on new things and just enjoying life. With three teenage daughters, I've learned a lot of patience, although I still get a little impatient at times.
What lessons do you hope to pass on to your daughters?
Have a go at things. Say yes more than no. It's so easy to say no to things, but to say yes and have a go—you don't know who you're going to meet, what experiences you'll have and where you might end up. If you say no, none of that will happen.
Australian Made Rugby,
Reissue Australian Made Sweat,
Reissue Australian Made T-Shirt
James Tomkins with daughters Jess, Georgia and Holly
Jess and Holly Tomkins
The other aspect of legacy is with your family, encouraging your kids to go out, have a go and make their own experiences.
This year, Country Road is celebrating its 50th birthday. Next year, it’ll be 35 years since you were on Lake Barrington in Tasmania. With that in mind, what does legacy mean to you and what do you want yours to be?
First, there's a legacy through the sport. That era of the 90s when we did start to win medals and world championships, all of a sudden there was a realisation that Australia could perform at that level. So there's the legacy of changing from being a participant to actually competing. And then the other aspect of legacy is with your family, encouraging your kids to go out, have a go and make their own experiences.
Reissue Australian Made T-Shirt
Reissue Australian Made T-Shirt
Reissue Australian Made T-Shirt
Reissue Australian Made T-Shirt
To mark our 50th year, we have created a limited-edition collection of products that are made to be loved and passed from one generation to another. Become a member to be the first to access exclusive releases throughout 2024.
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