The 2024 Australian Rowing Championships saw tremendous participation from current Clarendon students and Old Collegians.
Over the last week, students from the Open and Intermediate Division 1 Boys and Girls crews, their coaches and family members travelled to Sydney for the 2024 Australian Rowing Championships. The event marked their final school-rowing opportunity for the 2023/2024 season, with students racing in coxed fours, coxless pairs, quad sculls and double sculls.
For the first time since 1991, Clarendon’s Open Division 1 Boys crew won the Schoolboy Coxed Four title, as well as the Under 19 Mens Coxed Four title. This was a particularly special achievement, not only representative of the students’ commitment to this season but, in 1991, members of the winning crew included current Division 1 Boys coach and Old Collegian, Ian Peele (1991), and parent and Old Collegian of Division 1 Boys rower, Charlie McClure (Year 12), Richard McClure (1991). For rowers James Forsyth, Stuart Hall, Max Mason, Charlie McClure and cox, Reece Belcher, sharing their success and celebrating with Ian and Richard will remain a momentous occasion in Clarendon’s rowing history.
“To be the best Australian crew in two events is truly special and unique,” said Richard. “It is a testament to the belief they had in the process, Clarendon’s rowing program, their coach, Ian, and a lot of hard work. I’m very proud that they’ve reaped the rewards of their work this season with gold.”
The Division 1 Girls crew placed seventh in the Under 19 Womens Coxed Four, racing a personal-best time under coaching from Old Collegian, Nicki Plucinski (2003). Meanwhile, the Intermediate Division 1 Boys crew placed ninth in the Schoolboy Coxed Quad Scull, having won their B Final with coaching from Old Collegian, Cate Littlejohn (2013).
The Intermediate Division 1 Girls crew, coached by John Novak, raced in the Under 17 Womens Quad Scull and Schoolgirl Coxed Quad Scull. Year 11 student and member of the Open Division 1 Boys crew, Max Mason, placed second in the Under 19 Mens Coxless Pair. Year 10 student, Oliver Fumi, raced in the Under 17 Mens Double Scull and Quad Scull, while Year 11 student, Georgia Miller, raced in the Club Womens Double Scull, as well as the Under 19 Womens Coxed Four, in which she placed eighth.
Clarendon is also proud to celebrate the achievements of Old Collegians, both rowers and coaches.
Thomas Liubinas (2007) placed third in the Open Mens Interstate Eight, while Kat Werry (2012), placed first in both the Open Womens Coxed Eight and Open Womens Interstate Eight, as well as third in the Open Womens Coxless Pair. Lucy Richardson (2023), with coaching from Old Collegian, Jamie McDonald (1998), placed first in the Under 21 Womens Coxless Pair and Coxed Four, second in the Under 23 Womens Interstate Eight, and sixth in the Under 23 Womens Coxed Eight.
As a collective, Clarendon students and Old Collegians received six gold medals, two silver medals and two bronze medals at the 2024 Australian Rowing Championships.
Congratulations to all of our rowers, coaches and families on another fantastic season. Thank you to the families, volunteers and members of the Clarendon community for your ongoing support of our students and the Clarendon rowing program. Our community is proud of all of our students and Old Collegians and looks forward to continuing to support you in pursuing your hearts’ desires.
