NEW crew, new cox, new coach ... the Ballarat High School boys division one crew is unrecognisable compared with last year’s drought-breaking champions, but it matters not.
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If anything, the Ballarat High boys feel it might even be an advantage. Since everybody is new, there is no pressure to go back-to-back.
Rowing director Rob Simmonds said last year’s boys’ victory had made a massive impact on the sport at the school, but he did not feel there was additional pressure on the boys as a result.
“In the back of your mind you have it that the school is going for back-to-back, but for these guys it’s their first one, so there’s no real pressure in that sense,” he said.
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Glenn Kallio is no longer coaching the boys crew after stepping down – the first time without him in charge for 25 years. But he has still been on hand to offer some guidance, with James Warke stepping up to fill the role.
For the girls crew, Josh Boon and Haydn Swan are sharing the duties.
“There’s a lot of potential with this group of girls,” Boon said. “There’s no pressure because the guys won last year or anything like that on us though.”
The girls have already tasted success, winning a BAS regatta before Christmas.
Plus, they might have unearthed a special winning ingredient. Coxswain Milli Bilson was part of the boys’ winning crew last year and, this season, has the chance to achieve an incredibly rare double title.
As is the case with the boys, the girls have identified reigning champion Ballarat Clarendon College as the school to beat this year.
And, according to Simmonds, the entire school is now moving to the same beat since last year’s victory.
“There’s a bit of a buzz now and it’s showing through with the junior crews,” he said.
“Rowing is now becoming the cool sport to do again, which is really good. There’s been a real change of culture since winning last year.”
Last year’s victory was Ballarat High’s first since 2000 and Ballarat Clarendon College’s last was 2001.
“We reckon they are going to be pretty hungry to make sure they don’t have the longest streak without winning; we think they are one of the favourites this year,” Simmonds said.
“We reckon they are going to be the team to beat. They’ve got some really big boys there. I think it’s going to be the closest race for a while though.”
BOYS' SQUAD
LACHLAN SIMPSON (CAPTAIN), STROKE, YEAR 12
The captain of boats does not feel any pressure following last year’s breakthrough win. Having stepped up from the seconds last year, Simpson is one of five new faces. ‘‘There’s no pressure; we are all new ...’’ he said.
CODY MCDONALD, THREE SEAT, YEAR 12
In terms of school rowing, McDonald is fresh on the scene. Having only started rowing halfway through last year, he has had a quick rise to the top. “It’s a pretty big achievement for me so far, but to win would be massive,” he said.
KYLE TABBITT, TWO SEAT, YEAR 12
Tabbitt has noticed a huge step-up in training this year since advancing from the seconds crew last year. “It’s been a massive change in commitment. We’ve had to step it up a lot this year, which has been hard but good,” he said.
OSKAR OLIVER, BOW, YEAR 12
Oliver has had mixed fortunes at the Head of the Lake regattas in the past. In year 10, he missed out with a broken ankle before rowing in the fourths last year, and is hoping for far better results this time around in the firsts crew.
PARIS BEDGGOOD, COX, YEAR 10
Despite the age and gender difference, Bedggood says she is extremely close with the boys in the first crew, which is important. “They’re a lot of fun and good to be around,” she said. Beddgood has been competing as a cox since year 7.
GIRLS' SQUAD
AMITY MUSGROVE, STROKE, YEAR 11
Musgrove couldn’t be happier with how the season has gone so far. All that remains is the biggest race of all. “We’ve put in a lot of effort and I think we’ve had a really great season,” she said.
KRISTIE HUNT, THREE SEAT, YEAR 11
Hunt had to learn to row on a different side after being promoted to the firsts crew. She will be in the same boat as Musgrove (as she always has been), which is comforting. “I’ve always been with Amity, so it’s good to keep that going,” she said.
TAMAYSHA BISHOP, TWO SEAT, YEAR 12
This will be Bishop’s second crack at the Head of the Lake title, having rowed with the firsts last year. She has had a taste of glory, winning in the year 10 division three crew, but longs for the main title. “We’ve definitely worked a lot harder this year than ever before,” she said.
EMMA WEBSTER, BOW, YEAR 12
It has been a long road for Webster to find herself in the firsts crew. She has rowed in the thirds and spent two years in the seconds before getting the call-up this year. “I’ve always wanted to be in the firsts, so it’s amazing to finally get here,” she said.
MILLI BILSON, COX, YEAR 10
Bilson could achieve a remarkable feat should the Ballarat High girls win on Sunday – she would become a winning member of both boys and girls division one crews. She has switched from the victorious boys’ boat from 2014 to the girls this year.
patrick.nolan@fairfaxmedia.com.au