The NSW All Schools Championships is an exciting event that provides a broad range of schools with a firm understanding of their standing as they move into summer training camps. The depth of competition across all events is a testament to the expansion of school-age rowing that has occurred following the pandemic, and it is sure to make 2025 an exciting year. The schoolgirl double certainly lives up to this standard, with 13 entries across 13 schools in NSW and the ACT; this field is sure to be competitive.
Mosman
Arabella Turner-Smith and Erica Nutt are no strangers to racing together. This double has had experience driving each other in the boat for over three years, although they have spent most of their time in quads rather than the double. Both girls have shown solid results in a range of boat classes over the past season, including commendable times in the single scull and a fourth-place finish in the double for Nutt in Head of the River Race early this year. They will both surely be out to best their standing in this event.
Blaxland High
Hailing from the Blue Mountains, Sophia Whitelaw and Viti Young are no strangers to winning in this boat class. As a combination, they cemented themselves a convincing win at Head of the River Race earlier this year. Both being selected into the Western Sydney Academy of Sport’s rowing squad for this season, it’s needless to say they will have been training hard and smart in the offseason, with the intention of remaining in the top spot.
Loretto Kirribilli
Maddie Wheelahan and Sarah Holt are letting go of their usual one oar for two as they take on the double. Both are part of Loretto Kirribilli’s first eight, who have disbanded into smaller boats for this regatta, following some disappointing results in the Loretto Normanhurst regatta last month. This crew will be looking to prove themselves in a new boat class, and the difference in competition and rowing style that the double brings may just be precisely what they need to regain confidence leading into the summer break.
Canberra Girls Grammar
One of two crews from the ACT, Camilla Griffin and Sophie Murphy, is one of the younger combinations on show. Both found success just last week in the local CGGS/CGS regatta, taking home the gold in the SG 4x+ and Women’s Grade A & B quad. Murphy was also able to cement a solid sixth in the single at the same regatta, giving her solid experience within a high-calibre sculling field. The age of these girls won’t hold them back, and they’re sure to use their expertise in sculling to their advantage.
MLC
MLC has assembled a solid crew, with Sophie Winnall and Rebecca Beaton delivering strong performances over the past year. Both Beaton and Winnall narrowly missed out on a medal in the SG 4x+ at HoTR early this year, although they showed improvement at the recent Loreto Normanhurst Regatta, with Winnall claiming third in the double and Beaton winning the quad. This pairing is another with sculling experience, who will surely make the field a tight one.
St Catherine’s
Florence Hennessy and Matisse Borthwick are no strangers to winning. This combination made up a quarter of St. Catherine’s first eight last season, who were nothing short of successful. This crew was able to bounce back after a narrow second-place finish at SG HoTR to take out the top spot at nationals this year, defending their title from the year prior. This year, they’ve both kept momentum, with the pair claiming a convincing win in the SG coxed four at the Loretto Kirribilli regatta, and Hennessy furthering her sculling experience by taking home silver in the SG single. This crew is a new combination, but one certainly worth watching.
Prediction
The experience and confidence the pairing from Blaxland High will likely give them the edge to defend their HoTR title and cross the line first. The experience and success of the crew from St Catherine’s will make the battle for first a tight one, although their predominant history in sweep will likely see them with the silver. Third place is anyone’s game, although I think the most brutal battle for this sport will be between Canberra Girls and MLC. Overall, this field is exciting and sure to showcase some solid racing.
