Sports news
Rowing season is in full swing.
Training
It has been a very busy start to the rowing season. During the last school holidays, an enthusiastic group of Year 4 and 5 girls undertook some coxswain training under the carful supervision of alumna Meg Pinelli to develop and hone their skills in steering a larger rowing scull. They were ably assisted by a number of our current U16 rowers who provided support and guidance.
We look forward to seeing Esther Kelly, Izzy Godfrey and Varvara Iusupova joining with Maggie Parker and Freya Dickman in keeping the SMC larger boats (fours, quads and eights) going straight!
On-water training for our 80 rowers started last week. Some mornings are very busy, but our rowers, assisted by their managers and coaches, have done a great job getting on and off the water in a timely fashion – well done. A special thank you to all of our parent volunteers who are so proactive in helping out to ensure our program’s success.
Blessing of the Boats
Last Thursday, we saw a great gathering of well over 100 rowers and their families for the traditional, and annual, Blessing of the Boats.
A special thank you to Fr Suresh, Principals Mr Damian Messer and Mr Jon Franzin, Rowing Coordinators Mr Oliver Wilson-Haffenden and Mr Andrew Pinelli and Mrs Georgina Harris for officiating at the ceremony. Thanks also to all the parents, carers and rowers who joined together for this official, and ceremonial, commencement to the season ahead.
Regattas
Well done to our Open rowers who competed in last weekend’s Club Regatta 1. Many of our younger rowers seized the opportunity to stay close to New Town Bay and log a few more kilometres into their arms and legs ready for the long season ahead. Many of the U15 Open rowers will be competing at Franklin for Club Regatta 2 on 2–3 November. This will be our first chance to assess where we stand against the other Colleges.
Power boat licence
A big thank you to so many of our parents who have volunteered to complete their power boat licence training this weekend. We are looking forward to seeing you on the water for our trainings and possibly at Lake Barrington to help out.
If your child is keen to be part of the very successful and enjoyable rowing program at SMC, please do not hesitate to contact me: apinelli@smc.tas.edu.au.
Andrew Pinelli
Rowing Coordinator