It has been an incredible season for the St Catherine’s Rowing team – coached by former Irish Olympic rower Richard Coakley.
The team performed exceptionally well at the IGSSA Sports Regatta in March and brought home a total of 11 medals: five gold, one silver and five bronze. The medals were spread across the whole squad, which shows the rowing talent we have in each and every year group.
Highlights of the day include all six Year 8 crews making the podium, with our Year 8 Division 1 and 2 crews both winning gold. The St Cath’s 1st VIII also won gold, continuing their undefeated streak for the season.
The next major event was Head of the River, where the team once again dominated their races and came away with four gold and two bronze medals. Our 1st VIII crew also made history at this event, breaking the Head of the River record with a time of 6 minutes and 37 seconds – qualifying them to compete at the Australian Rowing Championships in Perth.
On the national stage, our St Catherine’s rowers rose to the occasion and made the podium in every event that they competed in. They brought home two silver medals and a gold – and were crowned national champions in the VIII event.
Although this competition marked the official end of the rowing season in Australia, our Rowing team aren’t quite ready to set down their oars. Our 1st VIII crew has been invited to compete in the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta in Henley-on-Thames in the UK. This event was first held in 1839 and is undoubtedly the best-known regatta in the world. We wish them all the luck!
