A team of Australian Defence Force personnel will fight to defend a 100-year-old rowing title at the Henley Royal Regatta later this year.

The King’s Cup, which began as a special post-war race contested by Allied crews in 1919, is celebrating its centenary this year.

The original cup was won by the Australian Imperial Force and, for the first time since, the race is returning to the River Thames.

This year’s team, a mixed-gender crew, are keen to defend the historic title on July 3.

Team member Lieutenant Colonel Liz Stephens tells Alan Jones the selection process was extremely rigorous.

“We had to prove that we had some ergo scores, indoor rowing scores, that met certain criteria… we had to send in video footage!” she laughs.

“What?” says Alan. “I don’t think they’re planning to win, are they?!”

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