On Sunday 28 March, St Peter’s College created history becoming the first rowing crew since 1968 to win gold in the Australian Schoolboy’s Eight at Lake Barrington, Tasmania.
The win in this blue riband Australian schoolboy race, is a first for the College and has been described by club stalwart David Bishop as “the best win in the history of the St Peter’s College Boat Club”.
After qualifying through the repechage the St Peter’s College crew won the final from the outside lane in a time of 6:28.33. In challenging head breeze conditions, the crew established an early lead in the first 500m of the race which they held for the entirety, crossing half a length in front of Shore School (NSW) in second and the fast-finishing crew from Queensland’s, Brisbane Boy’s College in third.
Coached by three-time Olympian James McRae the crew consisted of five Year 12s Nick Burr, Tom Oldfield, Felix Packer, Jeremy Beale, and cox Aidan Hughes and four Year 11s Edward Chipperfield, Faris Harb, Jake Nesbitt and William Howard.
The win is the culmination of a fantastic season of rowing for the entire senior squad.
“I am incredibly proud of the efforts of not only the 1st VIII, but the entire senior rowing squad,” said St Peter’s College Headmaster Tim Browning.
“I am constantly challenging our students to keep an eye on the broader horizons of state, national and international levels when striving to succeed. To compete, and win on the national stage, is a testament to not only the strength and depth of our St Peter’s College rowing program, but the endeavour of our boys.”
Winning the Barrington Cup for the Schoolboy’s Coxed 8 is the result of our athletes taking ownership of their process and in doing so, their success.
“The coaching group, led by James McRae, have imparted on the boys the art of rowing and hard work while fostering a culture of high standards and having fun,” said Director of Rowing Tim Hennessy.
“It has been this year’s senior squad led by Nick Burr (C), Felix Packer (VC) and Jeremy Beale (VC) who have left a legacy for younger boys aspiring to perform on the national stage and, when the world allows us, the international stage.”
King’s College (now Pembroke) was the last South Australian school to win the event some 53 years ago.
St Peter’s College also claimed silver in the Under 19 Men’s Coxed Four and our St Peter’s College/Scotch College composite crew took out bronze in the Under 19 Men’s Eight.