Coaching rejig boosts rowers
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A revamp of their coaching approach has paid big dividends for the Blenheim Rowing Club, says president Ruud Maasdam.
He praised the efforts of the two professional coaches the club has provided for its Marlborough Boys' College rowers assistant coach Bob Gilchrist and rowing director Bill Campbell.
These coaches, and a new committee, have brought about a serious improvement in the young rowers' results at national regattas and the Maadi Cup.
Maasdam noted that while all successful colleges and high schools now hired professional rowing coaches, the Blenheim Rowing Club relied on community grants and fundraising by the rowers and their parents to fund their campaigns.
Maasdam and Campbell now look forward to working closely with the MBC's PE department to double the base intake of rowers in all age groups for the summer season.
Maasdam pointed out that the Christ College 1st XV rugby side that pipped their MBC counterparts on Saturday had a full front row of rowers and more than half their team were from their top rowing squad, proving both sports can work hand-in-hand.
At the recent meeting to kick start the club's 125th anniversary year, several trophies were awarded.
A feature was the naming of novice rower, 15-year-old Elliott Harvey, as top rower of the year after just six months in the sport.
Other recipients:
H Dix Cup (best pair oar crew) Karl Manson and Stefan Meaclem. Gardiner Cup (most improved coxswain) Mitch Macdonald. BRC Blade (best first-year rower) Elliott Harvey. Harry Hale Cup (most points at a regatta for a coxswain) Hayden Beavis. Mitchell Cup (most conscientious) Adam Harper. Kotiro Shield (best performed coxswain) Robert Cowlishaw. Taylor Cup (club dedication) Geoff Beavis. Picton Carriers Cup (sculling trophy) Ethan Ward. BRC Cup (most improved rower) Liam Beattie. Paua Shield (champion tug-o-war team) Ethan Ward, Mitch Avery, Heath Arnst, Kenny Hill). BRC Seat (most dedicated/best prepared rower) Karl Manson. Pete Ching Memorial (best performed crew) South Island under 19 eights champions Karl Manson, Stefan Meaclem, Jarrod Cross, Matt Dowling, Anthony Ellis, Ben Black, Elliott Harvey, Ethan Ward and coxswain Hayden Beavis.
- The Marlborough Express
