ROWING
Boat Christening – the Georgia Radcliffe-Smith
Steeped in tradition, the naming of a rowing shell is an opportunity for clubs to honour and thank particular members of their rowing community.
On-site at Lake Barrington, during the Head of the River, our club dedicated a new boat to long-time College coach, parent and community member, Georgia (George) Radcliffe-Smith.
George was taken by surprise as the community gathered together for the christening and Head Coach, James Russell announced the dedication.
George joined the College coaching team in 2016 with a long list of impressive rowing and coaching achievements. George’s rowing expertise began when she was a junior rower in Victoria, progressing to winning the Head of the Schoolgirls Regatta in Victoria in 1989. She went on to represent Victoria and Australia, winning numerous senior State and National titles, including three Victoria Cups.
During her coaching career, George has coached girls and boys in all boat classes over a period of 20 seasons. Her coaching accomplishments include winning the Head of the River/Head of School Girls titles and four National Titles (1 Gold, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze).
At Scotch Oakburn, she was coach of the Girls First Eight from 2016 to 2018, as well as coach of the Senior Squads and Under 16s. In 2019 she coached the Under 15 Girls and, after a short break, returned to coach the U14 and U15 Girls in season 2022 and season 2023.
The SOC Girls rowing program is a strong one with a very promising future – a clear indication of the work George has done in this area. The College is indebted to George for the commitment she has shown to our program. We are grateful of her expert contribution and will certainly miss her in future seasons after her return to Victoria.
Head of the River
For the College rowing community, last Saturday saw the continuation of several traditions that makes the SATIS Head of the River special in many ways. The final Regatta of the season, but also the final School Regatta for Year 12 rowers. The bagpipes, the blazers and the guard of honour were a perfect way to send our Senior Eight crews off on their final race for the season. An inspiring occasion for our junior rowers to look forward to in future seasons. Especially memorable for the seven Year 12s and their families. Special thanks to Matthew Russell, Sam Brown, Rupert Mackenzie, Sven Stopford, Abe Scott, Cameron Auton and Hamish Fyffe for your dedication, effort, work and personal commitment to rowing at the College.
Our Senior First Boys left nothing in their tanks as they pushed themselves all the way. Rowing the 2km event in under six minutes in ideal conditions was a brilliant effort. Their time was just 3 seconds off the race leader, The Hutchins School.
Our Senior First Girls achieved a brilliant Personal Best, halving the previous margin between them and the race winner. This is the start of an exciting journey for them in the 2023/24 season. Watch this space!
To put a second Senior Boys Eight on the water was a great club effort. The crew consisted of our remaining three Open Boys, our four Year 10 rowers and Harry (Year 9) who learnt to row sweep and an Eight in a few weeks. We appreciate everyone’s involvement in this crew, especially coach Macca, Assistant Coach Ned, Cox Lucy and Andy B for being flexible with Harry’s schedule.
Our junior crews all enjoyed the momentum of the day and gained valuable race experience.
Other race results of note include:
1st in the Div 2 Yr9G Coxed Quad Scull
1st in the Div 1 Yr9G Double Scull (Emily Knaggs and Emily Atherton)
2nd in the Y9G Div 1 Coxed Quad Scull
1st, 2nd and 3rd in the Yr9G Div 2 Coxed Quad Scull
1st in the Div 1 Y10G Fours
1st in the Div 1 Schoolboys Fours and 3rd and 4th in Div 2
The Head of the River Luncheon was a huge success thanks to the hard-working members of the rowing parent group, with contributions of food from all families. A great way to come together to celebrate the end of the season. We thank all rowers, coaches and family members for a productive and enjoyable season.
National Competition
Next week five members of the senior boys rowing squad will travel to Western Australia to compete in the Australian National Rowing Championships.
We send best wishes to Cameron Parker, Matt Russell, Sam Brown, Rupert Mackenzie and Percy Bennett (coached by James Russell and Mac Cameron) and we look forward to following their competition.
Catherine Scott
Rowing