Success of Current Students

Ongoing Rowing Success

For the fourth consecutive year, St Virgil’s College has won the Junior Boys Aggregate Shield at the Head of the River Regatta at Lake Barrington. Further to that, current and former students are making their mark at the national level.

At the 2024 National Regatta, current students Llewellyn Gray and Saxon Van Anholt won their U17 men’s double scull final, and these two combined with fellow Virgilian, Alex Lamprey, and Buckingham Club rower, Callum Wigston, to win in the U17 men’s quadruple scull. This crew was coxed by Lucy Pinelli (SMC).

Further Virgilian success came in the Penrith Cup, the iconic race for the Men’s Lightweight Fours. Despite being consistently competitive on the rowing scene, Tasmania has not won the prestigious trophy since 2012. Not so this year. Gold to Tassie, and one of the crew members was a former student, Angus Paynter.

Olliver Wilson-Haffenden

A great deal of credit for the recent rowing success at St Virgil’s College can be attributed to our former student Oliver Wilson-Haffenden.

Ollie hailed from New Norfolk and attended the College from 2003-2006. In his final year, he was a prefect and participated in many of the sporting activities. However, surprisingly rowing was not one of them. To quote Ollie – “Despite my wanting to row – my parents would not get up early in the morning”. His first rowing involvement was at Guilford Young College.

In 2006, Ollie commenced rowing with his local club at New Norfolk with another OV – Adam Reid. This led to his gaining state selection in 2008, 2009, and 2010 and being the recipient of several medals, including a bronze at the Youth Olympics. He was a member of several Australian Talent Identification Squads and spent some time at the AIS (Australian Institute of Sport).

Ollie’s rowing career was cut short due to illness and injury, and he took time away from the sport to complete an economics degree and to commence work in the finance industry.

Five years ago, wanting a break from finance, he successfully applied for the position of Director of Rowing at St Virgil’s. He saw the opportunity to build a successful rowing program.

Our rowing team started with 12 students but within one year, it increased to 40 students. We now have over 60 students in the rowing team!

SVC has won the past four Head of the River Junior shields; and three of the past four All Schools Head of the River Junior shields.

SVC has produced four Rowing U17 National Champions: Noah Haas in 2023 and Saxon Van Anholt, Llewellyn Gray , and Alex Lamprey in 2024.

Ollie’s role gradually changed as numbers grew and success came. In 2023, his role  expanded to include St Mary’s College rowers.

Ollie has a Level 2 coaching qualification but has no real aspiration to reach for the world scene. His enjoyment comes from seeing school-level rowers develop and recognize their potential. He is looking forward to taking some of the lads to the National Trials in 2025 in the hope that they may gain selection in the U19 Australian Rowing Team.

In 2024-25, the St Virgil’s rowing program will have a special focus on the Eights. SVC will be boating its first eight in the Head of the River in over 30 years.

Student Athletes

Congratulations to student athletes Thomas Alomes and Zac Pfitzner for their achievements at Cricket Tasmania Awards Night.

Tom Alomes won the Batting Aggregate for U6's, whilst Zac Pfitzner won the Tim Paine Medal for the Best Overall Player in U16s.