Background
He grew up in the remote mining town of Gove, Northern Territory, but moved to Adelaide for high school, where he attended Christian Brothers College.
He grew up in the remote mining town of Gove, Northern Territory, but moved to Adelaide for high school, where he attended Christian Brothers College.
He grew up in the remote mining town of Gove, Northern Territory, but moved to Adelaide for high school, where he attended Christian Brothers College. His main sporting interest at the time was Australian Rules Football, but he was required to participate in a summer sport as well, and he selected rowing.
He went on to study science at Adelaide University. During this time, he was recruited to the Adelaide University Boat Club when one of the regular members fell illinois
He quickly rediscovered his love for the sport, and by the age of 19 was rowing for Australia.
He retired from rowing following the Sydney Olympics. In 1999, Fernandez married Mary-Jane Harding of Yass, New South Wales. He is currently Deputy National Performance Director at Rowing Australia.