The Armidale School will be competing in next year’s GPS Head of the River in all its own boats for the first time, thanks to the generous donation of a supportive Old Boy.
At the launch of the 2014-15 season at Malpas Dam on 7 November, the latest addition to the fleet hit the water, bringing the TAS rowing fleet’s tally to three ‘fours’ and a training ‘eight’. The donation made possible the purchase from St Ignatius College Riverview of a Sykes bow-coxed four, which has been fully refurbished for competition.
Rowing was re-introduced at TAS in 2011 and the school fielded one team at the GPS Head of the River in 2012, expanding to three ‘fours’ in 2014 and 2015.
“The purchase means that for the first time, we will be going to the Head of the River in March using all our own equipment,” rowing MIC Will Caldwell said. “In the past we have needed to borrow one or two boats, so this will enable the crews to train using the boats they will race.”
Mr Caldwell thanked the donor, saying he joined other former students who had made financial contributions to the growing rowing program, recognising the way it benefitted the school’s students. The boat has been re-named Jason Lincoln, acknowledging the enormous contribution to the school made by its departing Director of Co-Curricular.
“Jason’s vision and driving force has been instrumental in starting the rowing program, and it is only fitting he is honoured in this way. It is even more appropriate given he is a former student of St Ignatius,” Mr Caldwell said.
Mr Lincoln told the large gathering at the season and boat launch he was extremely humbled by the honour.
The squad will have two overnight outings to Malpas Dam a week ahead of competing in regattas in Grafton next month, and in Taree and Sydney early next year ahead of the GPS Head of the River on 7 March.
Please click on the first photo below to view a full gallery of photos, taken by Graham MacDougall.
David Williams, Lachlan Apps, Lewis Erskine-Smith, Harry Wright and (cox) Jack Berry take the Jason Lincoln for a row.
Admiring the Jason Lincoln at the launch were (centre) Jason and Alyssa Lincoln, Mary and David Lincoln and Chloe, Mia and Jack Lincoln.
