Local Rowers Looking Good For Maadi Cup

23 March 2012

Local Rowers Looking Good For Maadi Cup

New Zealand’s largest secondary schools rowing regatta, Maadi Cup, starts next week [editor’s note: 26 – 31 March 2012] in Twizel and Sacred Heart College’s under 15 and under 16 rowing eight teams are the hot favourites in their age group.

The school’s rowing has gone from strength to strength in the past 18 months thanks to a dedicated coach, enthusiastic rowers and a new boat funded by NZCT.

This winning combination has seen these two teams blitz the field at the recent North Island Championships and take Gold at these events for the first time ever. As the teams head off to Maadi Cup this weekend, their hopes and confidence are riding high.

The boys’ coach, Chris Klaassen, says the teams’ convincing wins at the North Island Champs mean they are now considered ‘the teams to beat’ in their age groups at Maadi. He says that, for a relatively small college, this is a great achievement and one that is extremely rewarding.

“I’ve coached rowing for 24 years and I have to admit I’m really excited by the calibre of rowers we have this year,” says Mr Klaassen. “Rowing is not for the faint hearted. We are on the water at 5.30am every morning, and do 11 training sessions a week for six months to prepare for events like these. It’s mentally and physically tough. Rowing teaches discipline, team work, commitment and tenacity.

“The challenge for us now will be to keep our heads in the right space and focus on the end game,” he says. “Being favourites to win our age grade adds extra pressure.”

Mr Klaassen credits some of the teams’ success on the boat in which they train.

“We have been lucky enough to purchase a Hudson VIII boat which was used by the USA Lightweight VIII at the 2010 World Championships,” says Mr Klaassen. “We raised half the purchase price of this boat ourselves, but we were relieved and excited that NZCT was able to provide the balance required.

“The boat is modern and light and has enabled Sacred Heart’s rowers to stay competitive,” he says. “Without NZCT’s financial backing we would have struggled to replace our aging boat without increasing our rowing fees. This would have made it difficult for some of our students to participate in the sport.”

NZCT CEO Mike Knell says the trust exists to fund amateur sport and keep it accessible, because sport is such a significant part of our Kiwi culture.

“We know times are tough for many sporting organisations and schools, so NZCT helps by providing much needed funding,” says Mr Knell. “It would have been incredibly frustrating if these young athletes were unable to achieve their sporting goals due to lack of equipment. They have such great potential. Just look at what they’ve achieved now that they have this new boat.

“Of course some of the publicans who raise our funds by hosting responsible gaming, have also been affected by the tough economic climate,” he says. “I’d like to thank them for their hard work and loyalty to NZCT. Without them our community funding model wouldn’t be as successful as it is.

“As for the Sacred Heart rowers - we wish them every success at this wonderful secondary schools sports event.”

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Last year alone NZCT distributed $38.5m in grants to sports, community and cultural events and clubs throughout the country. NZCT is the largest funder of amateur sport in New Zealand, and we’re proud of it. This is why we’re known as the backbone of amateur sports in New Zealand.

We can achieve this thanks to the hard work of our venue operators and their staff in gaming venues around the country. Cheers publicans!

For more information about NZCT:
• visit www.nzct.org.nz or
• email info@nzct.org.nz

ENDS

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