NZSSRA: Newsletter - Winter 2014

2014 Aon Maadi Cup - Largest Ever

The Aon Maadi Cup is the pinnacle of the school rowing season and this year there was considerable growth with 125 schools attending the regatta and 155 schools registered members of NZSSRA. This growth in membership is another indicator of the continued strength and depth of this major sporting event.

There were 2108 pupils competing in 1641 crews at Lake Ruataniwha. This was the largest Maadi Cup ever held. Consequently, this led to an extremely busy schedule with racing taking place from 8am-5pm over the six days (and in some cases until 6:30pm).

Early in the week four hours was lost due to extremely high winds consequently, the race committee made the tough decision to revert to time trials for the repechages only in order to make up time. This is a new way of completing races and although many found this controversial about the same number of schools were happy with this decision. After completing the repechages the regatta was back on track and felt no further delays.

The racing of finals was very exciting, especially when it came time for the boys U18 eight, the crews competing for the Maadi Cup. Hamilton Boy's High School (5:55.84) took the honours again this year beating St Bede's College by 2.15 seconds, and Napier Boy's High School taking third. The girl's U18 eight saw Waikato Diocesan School (6:51.43) win the Levin 75th Jubilee Cup after a dominant performance. Westlake Girl's High School and St Margaret's College were placed second and third.

Hamilton Boys High School also retained the Star Trophy (Overall Champion School) with a narrow win from St Margaret's College and also took away the Executive Trophy (Best Sweep Oar School). This year St Peter's School won the President's Scull (Best Sculling School). Coxswain of the regatta went to Natalie Bocock from St Margaret's College and the Coach of the Year to Dan Kelly from Roncalli College and Timaru Girl's High School.

It is wonderful that the sport of rowing continues to grow within New Zealand Schools and we extend a big thank you to all the competitors for their dedication and sportsmanship at the event. We also thank the many dozens of volunteers who gave a week or more of their time to run such a wonderful event.

Now we look forward to seeing you next year at Lake Karapiro!

You can find full results here or check out the article in the upcoming Oarsport Magazine which will be in mailboxes soon!

NZSSRA AGM Outcomes

The Annual General Meeting of the New Zealand Secondary Schools Rowing Association was held in Twizel on Sunday 23 March 2014. The DRAFT Minutes for the 2014 AGM are now available online.

Some items of note arising from the AGM include:

• John O'Connor admitted as a Life Member of NZSSRA.
• New members for the Schools Committee. Leith Menzies retired by rotation and was replaced by Scott Wilson. Members ratified the Board's reappointment of Janey Wackrow for a second term.
• 2015 Championships fees are now set. NISSC and SISSC fees have been kept unchanged. There is a small increase in Maadi entry fees but the Maadi non-progression penalty has been raised to $100 (from $40). The penalty rise is part of an effort to try and curb the practice of entering pupils in more events than they can complete.
• 2016 Championships hosts have been appointed but the dates for SISSC and Maadi are subject to confirmation. SISSC because the regatta duration needs expanding. Maadi because it is so late in the year.
• Financial provisions of the Constitution were updated (Articles 9 and 15)
• Rule 4.4 was changed to allow the use of shoes and stretchers with quick-release systems.
• 'Nike tick' draws have been ruled out for future Maadi regattas

The Constitution and Rules have now all been updated online.

Survey of Coaches about Maadi

The Schools Committee has been busy assessing the state of school rowing in NZ and it is clear with the enormous growth being experienced that our regattas will need to face some changes going forward. So the Schools Committee will be sending around a survey to get your opinion on Maadi and all that entails, so coaches look out for that hitting your emails shortly, we really value your feedback and want to hear your views on our sport.