Secondary Schools Report

SECONDARY SCHOOLS ROWING REPORT 2021

Another successful year has passed for secondary school's rowing. Rowing.

BRUCE TONG,

Schools Committee Chairperson It is great to reflect on a positive year of secondary school rowing after the challenges of 2020. Membership at secondary school level continues to be positive with more and more schools joining and recognising rowing at their schools.

The Aon North Island Secondary School Championships and the Meridian South Island Secondary School Championships were held successfully at each location. With the everincreasing interest and numbers at these regattas the delivery model continues to be looked at, including adding an extra half day for the South Island regatta, which was positively received.

The 2021 Aon Maadi Cup, the pinnacle event on the school rowing calendar, saw 121 schools and 2081 students descend on Lake Karapiro, Cambridge. We would like to acknowledge and thank the event’s sponsor, Aon, for its ongoing support and huge commitment to school rowing. We also thank Karapiro Rowing for hosting the event, which saw some great racing over the week.

The conditions were great, and this ensured the regatta didn’t miss a beat over the course of the week and some excellent results were achieved. Congratulations must go to Rangi Ruru for winning the Star Trophy for the overall Champion Rowing School. The 2021 Aon Maadi Cup, the pinnacle event on the school rowing calendar, saw 121 schools and 2081 students descend on Lake Karapiro, Cambridge.

I would like to thank the Schools’ Committee and School Board for their hard work and commitment to school rowing here in Aotearoa – their leadership and guidance is much appreciated.

The committee would like to acknowledge the services of Sonya Walker who left Rowing NZ at the end of the 2021 summer having poured her heart and soul into not only Rowing NZ, but school rowing over the last few years.

Finally, on behalf of the Schools’ Committee, thanks must go to the regatta officials, coaches, managers, schools, clubs and the countless volunteers and family supporters for making this a fantastic year for our young rowers.