Westlake Boys High School
Westlake Boys High School has an intriguing story to tell this season. Last year, their squad struggled at the national level, failing to secure a medal in any U17 sweep events: the four, the pair, or the eight. Their best result at the 2023 Maadi Cup was a fifth-place finish in the A-final of the U17 coxed four, far from podium contention at nationals on Lake Ruataniwha. However, Westlake Boys has a rich history in sweep rowing, having won the prestigious Maadi Cup three times and the Springbok Shield four times, with their last Springbok Shield victory dating back to 2002. Despite a long gap, they remain one of New Zealand’s most dominant sweep rowing programmes, alongside powerhouses like Hamilton Boys’ High School and Christ’s College. Since 2010, they have claimed over 5% of all national sweep titles across the U15 to U18 age groups. After a challenging 2023 season, they have set their sights on a rare trifecta: winning national titles in the four, eight, and pair.
This season, Westlake Boys has been nearly unstoppable. They have won every final they have entered, claiming victory in five regattas in the four, including sweeping the trifecta at the North Island Secondary Schools Championships. At North Islands, they set a blistering pace, recording a time of 6:20 in their heat and setting a new course record. The crew comprising George Langley (stroke), Samuel Bird, Jack Buckley, Donovan Pivac, and coxswain Flynn Wigglesworth has positioned itself for the opportunity to make history once again for Westlake Boys. Given their dominant performances and ability to excel in various conditions, they must be considered the favourites heading into the Maadi Cup.
Their transformation from last season’s struggles into sweep rowing giants can largely be attributed to the coaching influence of Andy Hay and Jordan Stanley. Hay, a former New Zealand coxswain, has won World Rowing Championship and Commonwealth medals and is currently involved with Rowing New Zealand’s media team while assisting with coaching. His experience at the highest level brings a deep understanding of competitive racing and crew dynamics. Meanwhile, Stanley has extensive international coaching experience, particularly from the UK, where he has worked with Cambridge University and coached in Scotland. Additionally, he has previously been involved in Rowing New Zealand’s selection process. With these two guiding forces, Westlake Boys has re-emerged as a dominant force in sweep rowing, and if their current form continues, they are well on their way to securing national titles and cementing their legacy as one of New Zealand’s top rowing programs.
Christchurch Boys High School
The Christchurch Boys’ High School crew, consisting of Ollie Browning (stroke), William Harrington, Ben Rowe, Harry Hegan, and coxswain Toby Brook, finds itself in a situation similar to Westlake Boys. Last season, they didn’t have a standout performance, finishing fourth in the U17 eight and failing to significantly impact the fours. However, something changed over the winter, and they have returned this season with renewed strength and purpose. Interestingly, most of the crew also competed in the U18 eight last year, where they again placed fourth. With that experience, they are no strangers to high-pressure racing, and this season presents them with a redemption opportunity. Having narrowly missed out on a podium finish in the U18 eight, they now have the chance to make history for their school by winning the prestigious Springbok Shield. Christchurch Boys’ High School has won the Springbok Shield twice in its history, most recently in 2019, making them one of the more recent winners. As a school with a strong sweep rowing tradition, they will seek to reclaim their place among the sport’s top contenders.
Regarding momentum, Christchurch Boys are in a strong position heading into the Maadi Cup. They have won their last two regattas – the South Island Secondary Schools and the South Island Club Championships – showcasing their ability to perform under pressure. At the South Island Championships, they claimed gold by a dominant five-second margin; at the Club Championships, they won by three seconds. This slight but consistent extension of their advantage indicates they are hitting peak form at the right time. Heading into Maadi, they are undoubtedly the South Island favourites and a serious threat to take home the national title.
The coaching duo behind their resurgence are Tim Osmers and Josh Dolan. Osmers, who has coached the New Zealand South Island U18 team, joined Christchurch Boys’ High School as head coach in 2021 and has spent the past four years developing the program. His experience at the national and school levels has been instrumental in shaping the crew’s competitive edge. Dolan, who previously coached at Shirley Boys’ High School, also brings a wealth of knowledge and a track record of success. Under their guidance, Christchurch Boys have steadily built their program, and this season’s performances suggest they are ready to take the next step. All eyes will be on them to see if they can convert their momentum into a national title.
Prediction
Westlake has proven time and time again that they know how to deliver when it matters most. However, the Maadi Cup finals are always unpredictable, and the pressure will be on. If they stay composed and execute their race plan, they should be able to secure the title, but expect a tight contest.
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