Media Release

University of Adelaide student Amber Halliday with her World Championship rowing medals Full Image (844.52K)

Thursday, 19 August 2004

University of Adelaide student and Australian rower Amber Halliday has made the final of the women's lightweight double sculls at Athens.

The 24-year-old Adelaide University Boat Club member and her partner, Sally Newmarch, will now row in the final at 3pm on Sunday afternoon (Adelaide time) following their semi-final success earlier this afternoon (Thursday).

"Amber has made a phenomenal effort to even reach the final," says the Executive Officer of the University of Adelaide Sports Association, Ms Gloria Chester.

"I'm delighted for Amber, because I know how hard she has worked to get where she is," Ms Chester says.

"About three months before the Games, Amber got knocked off her bike by a car while training and that took a real toll on her, both physically and mentally.

"The fact that she has made the final after such a serious accident shows what sort of person she is, and we know she'll be giving it absolutely everything in the final."

University of Adelaide Vice-Chancellor Professor James McWha says the entire University community will be behind Amber, and partner Sally, on Sunday.

"Amber is a world-class sportswoman and we applaud her achievement in making the final," Professor McWha says.

"Amber is a fine example of the kind of student the University of Adelaide attracts - someone who is committed to excellence in their chosen field, and combines study with a range of interests, such as sport. We wish her all the best for Sunday."

Amber already has World Championship and World Cup titles to her name, and has combined a rigorous training schedule with part-time study at the University of Adelaide. She already has a Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) from Adelaide and is currently partway through her Media degree.

The Adelaide University Boat Club is also holding a function on Sunday to watch the race live on a big screen and to cheer Amber on.

Find out more about Amber and her achievements at: www.auslightychicks.org