FROM THE HEAD OF CO-CURRICULUM

On behalf of the Brisbane Boys’ College community, it is a privilege to welcome all competitors, spectators and staff from GPS schools to this wonderful occasion. We hope all rowers and supporters have an enjoyable day at Wyaralong.

Rowing regattas are an important feature of the GPS sporting calendar as we set our sights on the GPS Head of the River. Today at the BBC regatta, and again on the 101st Head of the River held on Saturday 11 March, we will witness the very best of the GPS – proud traditions, courage, dedication, rivalry, passion and respect. Rowing, by the very nature of the sport, depicts this with a strong underpinning of the GPS values of commitment, courage, teamwork, healthy competition, integrity, fair play and good sportsmanship.

Rowing holds a special place at the College from both a historical and present-day educational sense. The sport is one of our most successful throughout our history, which also complements and extends our boys’ learnings from the classroom and in preparation for their future ambitions.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all staff, coaches, parents, old boys and our wider community for their continued support of GPS Rowing and of BBC Rowing. I wish all competitors the very best for the regatta today and for their preparations for the GPS Head of The River Championships.

MR MARK PAVONE HEAD OF CO-CURRICULUM

From The Director Of Rowing

I would like to welcome all competitors, coaches, parents and special guests to the 2023 BBC regatta. BBC is a proud member of the Great Public Schools’ Association of Queensland and each year the boys look forward to the BBC Regatta that is strongly supported by our BBC community.

Rowing is a beautiful, intense sport that supports and encourages friendly competition between teams. This regatta will provide us an excellent experience to assess the boys’ skills against others, see great techniques and improve performance from each competing crew.

Last year the BBC Rowing Program delivered one of its strongest years in the history of the GPS competition. The program celebrated the back-to-back victory of its 1st VIII and our senior crew won Gold at the 2022 Australian Rowing Championships in the Junior Men’s Eight and the U17 Men’s Single Scull, with multiple BBC crews competing in A finals.

Over many years now we have seen this high standard of rowing from the schools in GPS Rowing, particularly given the short season and diversity of experience within the crews racing. Some of the best young rowers in QLD are competing in today’s regatta, along with those who are experiencing the sport for the first time.

I urge all participating schools to continue to promote the sport of rowing to their students and their families.

My special thanks to GPS Sport and the member schools, Rowing Queensland, The Boat Race Officials and finally to the BBC Rowing Support Group who have worked hard to organise this regatta and to provide support and catering for the benefit of all of us attending.

I hope all of us can enjoy a safe and successful regatta today. I am looking forward to meeting you all at the finish line.

MR ZOLTAN SHEPHERD DIRECTOR OF ROWING