With the AAGPS Head of the River rowing regatta only days away, excitement and anticipation are running high at Newington College. 

The Newington College Boat Club has a proud history in this prestigious event, ever since its 1st VIII crew crossed the finish line in first place in 1921. 

Newington College’s rowing program began two years earlier under the tutelage of Roy Barker (ON 1898), a reserve for the Australian VIII at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics.  

The College initially entered two IVs in the Head of the River regatta of 1920 and joined the VIIIs competition in 1921. This crews’ efforts met with spectacular success, leading the race from the beginning and crossing the line in front by half a length. 

Newington has also enjoyed considerable success in more contemporary times, with a number of rowers representing at state, national and international levels.  

These include Olympians Sam Hardy (ON 2013), James Chapman (ON 1997), Stephen Stewart (ON 1995), Matthew Long (ON 1993) and twins James and Geoff Stewart (ON 1991), who are the older brothers of Stephen Stewart. Geoff and James won a bronze medal at the Sydney 2000 Olympics together in the four. Meanwhile, Geoff, James and Stephen won a bronze medal together in the Australian eight at the Athens Olympics in 2004. In addition, the College coaching staff is represented by the likes of Ms Annabelle Eaton, who coached the Australian U23 crews to victory in the World Championships in 2022 and 2023. Ms Eaton currently coaches Newington’s 2nd VIII crew. 

‘Give it a go – you may surprise yourself. This sport allows you to hone your skills as a rower but also grow as a person as you work with your team to become the best you can be.’  

Continuing its strong performance throughout the 2023-24 rowing season, Newington’s Year 9 – 1st Quad was victorious at the State Rowing Championships, securing the top position in their division. Meanwhile, in last year’s Head of the River Regatta, the 2nd VIII and Year 10 – 1st VIII crews achieved third place podium medal finishes. 

With rowing students from Years 7 to 12 in the College program, the sport has enjoyed a steady surge in popularity over the past few years. Current teams include two Senior VIIIs, four Senior IVs, three Junior VIIIs, six Year 9 Quads, 10 Year 8 Quads, and seven Year 7 Quads.  

‘We’ve got about 150-160 students involved in total, which is one of the bigger groups we’ve had coming through,’ says Director of Rowing, Mr Will Anders.  

‘Trying to bring our rowing students all the way through from the younger years, to improve the program’s depth of experience and shared knowledge, is definitely a goal.’ 

Aidan C, Captain of Rowing and Year 12 student, is one of these rowers, having successfully navigated the challenges of the sport throughout his schooling.  

‘Initially, I joined rowing in Year 7 because my brother did it and I thought I was going to be better than him,’ says Aidan.  

‘I rowed through Year 7 and 8 and I really liked it because I was doing it with mates. I became a coxswain and I really enjoyed that too. Our crew was undefeated so that was a highlight.’ 

Having previously successfully completed the two kilometre Head of the River Regatta in six minutes and six seconds, Aidan says he and his fellow 1st VIII rowers dedicate countless hours a week to the sport. This however shouldn’t act as a deterrent to any other students who might interested in becoming a rower, he says.  

‘Give it a go – you may surprise yourself. This sport allows you to hone your skills as a rower but also grow as a person as you work with your team to become the best you can be.’  

Mr Anders says Newington’s ethos which encourages students to find academic, co-curricular and wellbeing balance is key to ensuring rowers are happy, healthy and high performing.  

‘We’ve got eight boys in Aidan’s position doing the full volume of training, but we stagger the program, and students can equally opt to participate in just two or three sessions a week.  

‘However, there’s also the opportunity to excel and take it seriously, as Aidan is doing. And while that’s the goal of the program, equally as a College we understand the necessity for proportionality.’   

For those students interested in joining the Newington College Boat Club (NCRA), tryouts are held in Term 3.  

And as the rowers put in final preparations for Head of the River on Saturday March 22 heading out from the Abbotsford boat shed most mornings, the famed Black and White Army, the 1st XV1, is busy practicing chants in full voiced throttle to help bring home our boats across the finish line. Also, the ever supportive Newington College Rowing Association is hosting a marquee (Black & White of course) for our tight knit rowing supporters to meet and cheer on the New crews. 

‘This exciting event is a highlight of the school calendar each year,’ says Stewart Chandler, Secretary of NCRA.  

‘The dedication of our rowers, coxswains and coaching staff during the season has been nothing short of inspirational and all their hard work and unbreakable camaraderie will be on full display as the competitors race towards the finish line. 

‘We wish all competing for Newington a great day racing and are incredibly proud of each and every one of our rowers.’ 

In some other exciting news, three former Newington students have been selected to represent NSW in the upcoming National Championships, held at Lake Barrington International Rowing Course in Tasmania next week. Hamish Danks (ON 2021) and Marcus Della Marta (ON 2018), both from the Sydney University Boat Club, and Alex Nichol (ON 2017), from the Sydney Boat Club, will be competing for the King’s Cup Squad Interstate Men’s Eight at the National Championships. 

In addition, Rob Black, Head of Boatshed Operations is coaching one of the men’s crews. 

Go New! 

• The 2025 Head of the River Regatta will be held on Saturday 22 March. If you are part of the Newington community you can view more information about the Newington College Boat Club by clicking here (via NewSpaces). 

• For more information about the Head of the River Regatta, including scheduling please click here.