St Margaret’s College
For St Margaret’s College, this season represents the culmination of a journey, a chance to finish their story in style. This crew has a history of success, with steady progression over the years. At the 2022 Maadi Cup, they finished second in the girls’ U16 four, and in 2023, they claimed gold in the same event at the U17 level. From that moment, they have continued to dominate, winning the U19 four at the Canterbury Championships and even finishing second in the women’s premier four at the South Island Rowing Championships. More recently, at the South Island Secondary Schools Championships, they claimed victory in the girls’ U18 four and girls’ U18 pair while narrowly missing out on gold in the U18 eight, finishing second. With history, momentum, and motivation on their side, they are well-positioned to contend for the Dawn Cup at the Maadi Regatta.
St Margaret’s College has an impressive sweep rowing legacy, winning 16% of all national titles in U15-U18 sweep events between 2010 and 2024. They have secured the Dawn Cup three times, most recently in 2013. The current crew, consisting of Coco Flood (stroke), Aine Leeson, Belize McQuarrie, Bronny O’Sullivan, and coxswain Ellie Scotland—has developed into an elite unit. Flood and Leeson, who also race together in the pair, showcased their ability by winning the girls’ U18 pair at the South Island Schools Championships. With a mix of strong big-boat movers and technical small-boat specialists, they have the skill and experience to challenge the favourites, Waikato Diocesan School.
Waikato Diocesan
Waikato Diocesan is the most successful girls’ rowing school in New Zealand, boasting an unparalleled legacy. Since 2000, they have been a dominant force, with 24% of national titles in U15-U18 sweep events from 2010 to 2024. Despite this dominance, they have only won the Dawn Cup twice in their history, most recently in 2019. However, this year’s crew, Maclaine Stuart (stroke), Georgia Trebilco, Alexandra Hull, Kate Slyfield, and coxswain Rosie Savage, are on a path to rewrite history.
Remarkably, all crew members are U17-eligible rowers, yet they have outperformed older competitors at every regatta this season. At the North Island Secondary Schools Championships, they won every event they entered, including the girls’ U18 four, U18 eight, and U17 four. Their dominance extends beyond school rowing, as they have also competed at the club level, finishing fourth in the women’s senior four at the North Island Club Championships and even winning the women’s open four earlier in the season. These achievements highlight their incredible potential and make them the clear favourites heading into Maadi.
This crew benefits from the leadership of Alice Denyer, a coach with significant experience. Selected as a coach for the New Zealand U19 team, Denyer has guided multiple athletes to national titles. She has also rowed and coached in the UK and New Zealand, strengthening Waikato Dio’s program. With an unbeaten record this season and the advantage of racing on home water, Waikato Diocesan enters Maadi as the team to beat in the Girls U18 four.
Prediction
Waikato Dio has been the team to beat all season, but anything can happen at the Maadi Cup. Their power and synchronization make them the favourites, but with intense competition in the field, they’ll need to execute a clean race. If they perform to their usual standard, they should come away with the win.
About The Author
Discover more from JRN
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
