Maadi Cup rowing regatta?

David Ogilvie | 18th March 2010

In this area think Wanganui Collegiate, and Wanganui High School, with maybe a touch of Cullinane, Wanganui City College and Girls College thrown in.

Now add Marton's Nga Tawa to the mix.

Nga Tawa has never tried rowing before - but in less than a year the Marton school has produced a 10-strong novice squad for next week's Maadi Cup national secondary schools championships in Twizel.

Coach is Craig Smith, who ran a sculling course through the YMCA in the middle of last year - and picked up 42 starters from Nga Tawa, courtesy of some assistance from Nga Tawa sports teacher Annette Pearce, who offered rowing as a sport as a result of their discussion.

"Of that 42 we had 14 start the rowing season last October," Smith said. "And that's probably better than we expected. These girls all nominated rowing as their summer sport - and out of the 14 we're taking eight rowers and two coxswain to Maadi."

Such a trip, not a cheap one for schools to the South Island, was offered as a carrot at the start of the season - but the girls had to produce good enough form to indicate they could make an A or B final.

"That was one of the criteria," Smith said. "And one of our (fours) crews was sixth in the A final at the North Island championships over the weekend."

An eight took to the water as well, but unfortunately one of the seats came adrift - and seven versus eight doesn't work, as Australia found out once....

"We'll take an eight (boat), but they'll have to race in the open U18 eights - but it will give them some fill-in races through the week."

The Nga Tawa girls have been travelling from Marton to Wanganui four times a week over summer, leaving Nga Tawa at 5am twice a week, with the other two sessions in the afternoon.

The squad members are: Kate Cadwallader, Georgina Gibbs, Charlotte McAloon, Kerri Gowler, Kate Jordan, Charlottle Legge, Jessica Forrest, Caroline Dekker; coxswains, Sophie Nevill, Emily Moore.