Image Credit: Rowing Australia
For many years, the U23 Eight race for the Federation of Old Oarsmen Trophy was one of the premier eights races at the Australian Championships (outside of the interstate regatta). With the addition of Club, Open, and now U21 eights, the entries have been cannibalised somewhat, especially with many clubs choosing to focus on the U21 race that takes place just two hours later. Nevertheless, this event sees a handful of very high-quality combinations that will surely put on a spectacular show on Lake Barrington.
Melbourne University Composite
Melbourne University Boat Club have a fantastic history in this event. The boathouse drive club (or a composite led by them) has taken home the Federation of Old Oarsmen Trophy three times in the past five National Championships. Headed up by Tom Foley and Winston Hooper in the stern pair, who have been at the forefront of Victorian U23 competition this year, this crew will make an impression on this race but may just lack the depth to challenge for the gold.
University of Queensland Composite
The rise of Queensland back to the pointy end of Australian sweep rowing over the past few years has been fantastic to witness, and this UQ Composite is perhaps the (current) pinnacle of that ascension. In terms of recent form, the stern four of this boat, Martin, Tucker, Weightman, and Owen, were NSW Champions in the U23 coxless four by nearly five seconds, with many of the crew snagging medals in the double, single, and pair at the same regatta to boot. They’re joined in the engine room by Kand’s Darcy Watter, an U23 Australian representative in the coxed four from 2024. Interestingly for us on the banks, half of this crew are set to represent Queensland in the King’s Cup on Interstate Sunday, so it’ll be fascinating to see how they get on without their top guys.
UTS Haberfield
A very similar combination to what we’ve seen race across many NSW regattas this year, UTS Haberfield will bring a lot of confidence in their race craft to this event. Despite not all of these races going their way, they’ve proved to be a squad happy to adapt their plan on the fly and respond to what their opposition is doing. Boosted by recent admissions to the sub-six club Oscar Beregi and Mackenzie Thompson, this crew will have some spice to it and should take the fight with UQ all the way to the finish line.
Prediction
The matchup between UTS and the UQ Composite looks like one of many crackers that day six of Nationals is set to deliver. Both include some names with recent success and big horsepower. For me, the slightly tamer racing schedule and the impressive early-season performances put the Queenslanders at the head of this field, followed across the line by UTS Haberfield within a length and Melbourne University Composite just over a length behind them.
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