Rowing

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From the 2011 Magazine 

The 2010/2011 rowing season was one of the best ever for Sacred Heart. We got off to a promising start early in the competition calendar by dominating the Auckland Secondary Schools Head of the Harbour Championships, gaining four firsts and two thirds. The U17 four, U16 eight, U15 eight and U15 four all picked up line honours, while the U16 four and U18 novice four placed third.

The North Island Secondary Schools Championships saw four crews on the medal dais, with bronze medals for the U17 eight, U15 eight and U15 four, and a silver medal for the U16 eight.

Hopes were high when the club headed back to Karapiro for the Maadi Cup regatta and while a gold medal at the secondary school national event is still elusive, the crews all put in fine efforts that coaches, rowers and parents can be proud of. SHC crews picked up a two silver medals (U15 eight and U17 four) and two bronze medals (U15 four and U16 eight) in this pinnacle event of the season.

Several rowers turned in particularly noteworthy individual performances during the season. Christian Kelleher was in three medal-winning crews at Maadi, a feat that sometimes required him to race back-to-back events, sprinting from one finish line straight back down to the start of another race. Another highlight from Maadi saw U17 rowers Ryan Kelleher and Liam Kettle selected for the North Island U18 men’s eight, which then went on to beat its South Island rivals at the annual Easter challenge.

None of this would have been possible without the dedication of a superb band of coaches, including Chris KLAASSEN (79), Kirsty Dunhill, Barry Cleal, Br Terence and a group of enthusiastic junior coaches, who collectively put hundreds of hours into making SHC Rowing the premier sport it has become.

Off-the-water highlights included the establishment of an erg training room at the school, heralding a newfound commitment to intense fitness and physical training, under the direction this season of Jerry Leaupepea, which reaped dividends on the water.

A further highlight has been the installation of an honours board inside the erg room, noting all Sacred Heart rowing successes over the years. Not only does this showcase previous achievements, but hopefully it will serve to motivate current rowers to have their names added to this prestigious list of high-performing crews and individuals.

The establishment of the erg room and many other rowing initiatives were made possible largely due to the strong support received from Principal Mr Jim Dale, Director of Sport Mr Neil Penfold and Teacher in Charge of Rowing Miss Rachael Burrowes.

The final acknowledgement goes to the 45 boys who put their hearts and souls into rowing for the school during the season. The commitment of these boys and their parents is both extraordinary and outstanding, and does Sacred Heart College proud.