John XXIII Rowing Club 

Celebrating Our Year 7 Rowers!

A big congratulations to our Year 7 students who participated in this year’s Learn to Row program! It was wonderful to see so many of you step outside your comfort zone, try something new, and bring such great enthusiasm to every session.

From learning the fundamentals of rowing to building teamwork on the water, students have shown resilience and a positive attitude throughout the program.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to announce a new Year 8 rowing opportunity in Term 2, 2025. Keep an eye out for registration details in the second half of Term 1.

Well done to all our Year 7s for making the most of this fantastic experience and diving into the world of rowing!

Head Boys’ Coach Announcement

As we head towards the end of the year, we’re thrilled to announce Lauren Strong as the newest addition to our coaching team as Head Boys’ Coach. Bringing a wealth of experience and a track record of dedication and success, Lauren’s journey in rowing began as a talented athlete, competing for Penrhos College from 1996 to 1999. In 2000, she achieved notable success at the Nationals, earning a Gold in the U17 Eight and a Bronze in the U17 Four - an early display of the passion and drive she would carry forward into her coaching career.

Lauren’s coaching career includes guiding rowers in both school and club settings. In 2000, she began as a coach with the ARAWA Sculling Program and went on to coach various crews at Penrhos College from 2000 to 2015, including the 1st and 2nd VIII crews. Under her guidance, her Penrhos crews achieved an impressive record, securing seven Head of the River titles. She further broadened her coaching portfolio at Wesley College, leading teams such as the First Quad and 10As, before joining Westies, where she coached multiple squads from 2017 to 2023.

In addition to her rowing expertise, Lauren holds a Bachelor of Science in Sport and Exercise Science with Honours and has experience in rehabilitation as a personal trainer. We look forward to an exciting 2025 season under her leadership and are confident that her expertise and enthusiasm will inspire our boys to reach new heights on the water.

We are also excited to announce that next year, our Senior rowers will have the unique opportunity to participate in a rowing tour to Queensland during the July school holidays. The tour will include competing at the 2025 South Queensland Schools Regatta, a large rowing event with entry numbers larger than our All-Schools State Championships. It will be an invaluable preparation experience as we prepare for our season’s final performances. The College is currently organising the tour, and more details will follow soon. 

2025 Rowing registrations

We invite everyone to register for the 2025 rowing season and ensure your place in what promises to be an exciting year. Please register by Monday, 9 December using the link below. We look forward to another successful season ahead.

2025 Rowing Registration Form:

Stack Team App

Please download the ‘Stack Team App’ on your phone as this is the central place for training schedules, training updates, and access to the rowing handbook to name a few. It is important that all rowers and parents have access.

To get this app go to the App Store or Google Play and download Stack Team App onto your mobile device, then follow these simple steps:

1.  Sign-up to Stack Team App. You’ll be sent an email to confirm your registration.
2.  Log-in and search for JTCRC, then request to become a member.

Asthma and Allergies

Can all rowers with asthma or allergies please remember to bring their asthma puffers, EpiPens, or required medication to all sessions.

Jerram Gibson

John XXIII Rowing Coordinator