John XXIII Rowing Club 

Dear Families

Last Saturday under perfect weather conditions with flat water and bright sunshine, the John XXIII College rowing community gathered outside the John XXIII boatshed for the highly anticipated House Regatta. It was an exciting day filled with competitive spirit and camaraderie, with our Year 8 rowers taking to the water in what proved to be an exceptional event.

In a thrilling day of competition, it was Campion that claimed victory, taking home the coveted House Cup. A special highlight of the day was the Coaches Cup race, which, for the first time, was contested in eights. In a spirited showdown between the rowers and coaches, the coaches showcased their experience and came out on top, winning by two boat lengths.

Later that evening, the rowing family reunited for the Presentation Dinner, an event that honoured the hard work and dedication of all rowers throughout the season. A key moment of the evening was the unveiling of the State and National Representative Honour Board, celebrating the achievements of those who have proudly represented the Club at the highest levels.

The evening was filled with heartfelt speeches from the rowers and coaches, reflecting on the growth, challenges, and triumphs of the season. The evening also saw the announcement of the season’s award winners:

This season, we worked hard to instill a strong culture of 'people for others,' shaping not only the values but also the mindset of the team. In recent times, we’ve adopted the mantra "any seat, any boat, any time," which has become a core belief, showcasing the team’s readiness to face any challenge with unity and determination.

Season 2024 Highlights:

• Reaching a milestone of 466 points at the 2024 Head of the River regatta, surpassing the previous record of 383 points set in 2023.
• Achieving the most podium finishes of any school or club at the All Schools Regatta 3.
• Making history by fielding our first crew in the IGSSA Head of the River race for the first time in 21 years.

These impressive accomplishments are a testament to the dedication and resilience of our students, coaches, parents, committee members, year group coordinators, and the broader community. Each person played a vital role in ensuring the growth and success of our rowers, both as athletes and individuals.

This season demonstrated not only the strength of our rowing program but also the importance of unity and hard work. The regatta and presentation evening were fitting celebrations of the team's spirit and achievements.

Here's to another great season and many more to come!

Year 7 Learn to Row Program Registrations – Filling up FAST!

Program Availability: We have 25 places available for each session day. Please be aware that the Tuesday session is now full and there are approximately five places left for Mondays and three places on Thursday. This program is always in high demand, so we encourage you to register as soon as possible. 

Program Details:

• Dates: The program will run during Term 4 every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, starting from Week 3 (Monday, 21 October) and concluding in Week 7 on Thursday, 21 November.
• Session Times: All water sessions will take place at the John XXIII Boatshed at Canning Bridge from 3:30pm to 5:30pm.
• Transportation: We will provide a dedicated bus service departing from the College at 3:30pm and returning at approximately 6:00pm.
• Enrolment Procedure: To secure your child's spot in this program, please use the link provided below to register their interest in the Year 7 Learn to Row Program by Friday, 6 September.
• Registration Link: Year 7 Learn to Row Registration 
• Program Cost: The Year 7 Learn to Row Program is completely free for those who wish to explore and try out the sport.
• Weather Contingency: In the event of inclement weather, please note that a session may need to be cancelled. Rest assured that we will promptly notify parents and guardians about any schedule changes to ensure the safety of our students.
• Registration Deadline and Group Lists: The registration deadline for the Year 7 Learn to Row Program is Friday, 6 September. Group lists will be released on Monday 16 September. If your child misses securing a place in this year's program, we encourage them to consider the Year 8 Rowing program in 2025.

We strongly believe that participation in rowing provides students with valuable life skills, team camaraderie, and physical fitness. Our coaching staff is dedicated to nurturing each participant's potential and fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for everyone involved.

If you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact me. We are excited to offer this opportunity to your child, and we look forward to another fantastic year of rowing.

Rowing training tops on sale

We have limited blue training tops for sale from the Sports Office. Prices are as follows:

• Short-sleeved training tops: $15 each
• Long-sleeved training tops: $20 each

Rowers are able to wear their training tops to land training as an alternative to their school sports polo, so they are a great option to cut down on the weekly washing! They are also great under the zootsuits on the colder mornings. All proceeds from the sales of the tops will go directly to the club as a fundraiser, so even more reason to purchase one…or two.

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

A reminder that all rowers with asthma or allergies are required to bring their asthma puffers, EpiPens or medication needed to all sessions.

Jerram Gibson

John XXIII Rowing Coordinator