Following on from the 2014 season that saw Mr Bryan Hain – Director of Sport – step in as Acting Director of Rowing, my subsequent appointment in August was designed to be a short-term measure in order to review and give subsequent recommendations for consideration by Mr Hain and Mr Wain about the structure of the TSS Rowing program and to take the appropriate steps towards building success into the future. With those recommendations now in the Director of Sports’ hands, I’m sure the boys, parents, Old Boys and supporters all hope that TSS Rowing can rebuild into the highly successful program both on and off the water we have witnessed in the past.
Highlights included our performances at both the Junior Head of the River and the Annual GPS Head of the River Championships. In terms of a measure of the TSS boys’ achievement, our clear second place in the Old Boys Cup (overall points score with 12 designated crews Years 10-12) is reflective on the boys’ commitment and ability throughout the TSS Shed and for which every one of our boys should be duly proud.
The 2015 TSS Rowing season will be etched in our records as successful for a number of reasons – for almost all our boys. A more transparent and whole of shed philosophy in terms of selection and programming was implemented, attributing to our crews’ impressive results, with the First VIII achieving third place and an overall second in the Old Boys Cup. We also unveiled some of the traditions that had gone missing over the past years, affirmed the School’s rowing pathway, with a number of the boys who had graduated participating in international regattas and representing Australia, with others also being offered entry into Australian and international universities based on their interest and abilities within the sport of rowing.
While results are important, just as vital are the lessons learnt and the legacy that we contribute towards after the last boat leaves the water for the season. With the School developing its course and position on sport on a range of levels, continuity of direction and adapting to change is a natural evolution, especially for a sport that relies extensively if not totally on teamwork and what is best for the crew, not the individual.
BRUCE WRIGHT
Director of Rowing
On reflection, in terms of our third in the O’Connor Cup (First VIII Race), the boys representing the School should also be justifiably proud, as I believe they achieved the best result they physically and emotionally could with the challenges they faced. We also need to acknowledge the efforts of the Nudgee College crew, who were the fittest, and probably most importantly, mentally the strongest schoolboy crew that have competed in the GPS for many years, being undefeated throughout the season and also winning the national title in the Schoolboy Eights Championships.
In covering the highlights, it was certainly a pleasure to see the excitement and enthusiasm of over 200 boys becoming part of a 108-year history of the TSS Rowing Club. For the Years 8 and 9 rowers, a very significant milestone was seeing all the boys flourish in a sculling-based program that provided a more enjoyable and 310
THE SOUTHPORT SCHOOL SOUTHPORTONIAN 2015
