Rees was selected in Victorian state representative lightweight fours to race the Penrith Cup at the Interstate Regatta within the Australian Rowing Championships on six occasions between 1973 and 1979.

[2] Rees was selected for Australian representative honours in a lightweight coxless four for the 1974 World Rowing Championships in Lucerne.

That crew won Australia's first gold medal at a FISA World Rowing Championship.

[4] Rees was also selected in Australia lightweight fours for Amsterdam 1977 and Lake Karapiro 1978 taking silver and bronze, respectively.

His final Australian representative appearance on the international stage was in the men's lightweight eight who finished sixth at the 1979 World Rowing Championships.