Gold caps
successful season
St Andrew’s has produced more national rowing champions after this year’s highly competitive Maadi Cup regatta. The Boys’ U17 coxed four, comprising Thomas Russel (Year 12) (stroke), Zackary Rumble (Year 12), Benjamin Taylor (Year 12), Mitchell White (Year 12) and Tom Flavill (Year 10) (cox) won gold and the Hampton Memorial Shield in a thrilling final which they led from start to finish. It was an outstanding effort by these promising rowers who have remained unbeaten in their age group over two seasons. The win was a particularly proud moment for Benjamin Taylor’s father and Old Collegian Andrew, who back in 1982 won gold in the same event at the regatta. Congratulations to Zackary Rumble, Benjamin Taylor and Mitchell White who have since been selected for the South Island team. Crew member Thomas Russel also teamed up with Henry McCallum to take silver in a very tight Boys’ U18 coxless pairs oars, just 0.6 of a second away from the winning crew. Their great form has seen them selected for a New Zealand junior trial, a fantastic achievement. The younger crews also impressed, with the Boys’ U15 coxed four comprising Charlie Murray (Year 10) (stroke), Dominic Clarke (Year 10), Cameron Wilson (Year 10), Fredrick Studholme (Year 10) and Tom Flavill (Year 10) (cox) winning silver in their event; and the Boys’ U15 coxed eight of Charlie Murray (Year 10) (stroke), Fredrick Studholme (Year 10), Cameron Wilson (Year 10), Dominic Clarke (Year 10), Dakota Bristow (Year 10), Sebastian Calder (Year 10), Samuel Smith (Year 10), Ben McDonald
(Year 10) and George Rutledge (Year 10) (cox) winning bronze. “This is one of the most exciting group of Year 10 rowers we have worked with, and their results bode well for the future of the rowing programme,” says Rowing Co-ordinator Hamish Bell. Other highlights of the regatta included the Senior Boys’ eight winning their repêchage to make the A final of the Maadi Cup, in which they finished a creditable sixth. It is just the second time a StAC crew has made the A Final. To get there the crew had to fight all the way to beat Sacred Heart College from Auckland in the repêchage, coming back from half a boat length down at the 1000 metre mark, to eventually win the race by two seconds. Members of StAC’s expanding girls’ rowing programme also performed well at Maadi Cup, with the highlight being the Girls’ Novice eight competing in the A final, finishing sixth. The Girls’ U16 double and Novice four also made A finals. Georgette Smith (Year 13) won the Rower of the Day Award on the Thursday of the regatta for her valiant efforts in her semi-final of the Girls’ U17 Single. An incredible 2100 pupils from 120 schools participated at this year’s Maadi Cup, with 1600 crews competing in 600 races across 52 events. St Andrew’s came thirteenth out of 120 schools in the Star Trophy awarded for overall points in sculling and sweep, and seventh for the Executive Trophy for sweep oar rowing. Hamish says the rowers’ hard work, determination and passion for the sport
have contributed significantly to the team’s results, as has the efforts of the coaches, support staff (Kerry Larby and Julian Martel), parents and sponsors. “We are fortunate to have a fantastic coaching team, including senior coaches Ross Lindstrom and George Keys, who have raced at elite level for New Zealand and have both had distinguished careers.” Annie Montgomery (who has made a significant contribution to the girls’ programme), and James Harvey, (a successful coach of the junior boys over the last three years) are leaving the programme this year, and are wished well by the Rowing Club, says Hamish. Two Old Collegians, Connor Fraher (2015) and Sam Martel (2015), as well as Charlotte Kenny, and conditioning coach Greg Thompson have also contributed significantly to the rowing team. “We also have fantastic support from parents, with a great parent committee led by Patrick and Cherie Methven, and an extended parental group of helpers who all contribute significantly, particularly when it comes to cooking, cleaning, washing and generally looking after our rowers at regattas and training camps,” says Hamish. He also pays tribute to Bayleys Canterbury, which has offered three years’ sponsorship to StAC rowing, and is a ‘great support’, providing the team with jackets and bags and further funds towards the purchase of new equipment. “Rowing is a popular and fast growing sport at St Andrew’s, with 20 more students taking part in 2016 than last year. The results at Maadi Cup are a great way to end a successful season and with a young, talented team, we are excited about what next season will bring. “
The Maadi Cup gold medal winning Boys’ U17 coxed four. From left: Coach Ross Lindstrom, Thomas Russel, Zackary Rumble, Benjamin Taylor, Mitchell White, Tom Flavill and assistant coach Charlotte Kenny.
