The New South Wales Rowing Championships is one of the most critical dates in the calendar for Australian rowers in the summer season. Known across the country as a “Mini Nationals”, this is where some of the country’s top athletes enter as a practice run before the real thing, where young athletes ease themselves into the realities of high-level racing, and the seasoned return to test their abilities in the crunch time before another tilt at national glory.
The schoolgirl single sculls are sure to put on a show. Each athlete is desperate to show their worth to the racing world outside of the confines of school regattas. These young women have been training for the win for the past five years, and the New South Wales Rowing Championships is another opportunity to show their steel.
Scotch Oakburn – May Wain
May Wain is a seasoned athlete across many age ranges of racing and continues to take podiums across the circuit. In the Tasmanian State Club Regattas, racing in the U19 women’s single scull, Wain has stepped up to the podium in every race as well as placing fifth in the women’s single scull at the National time trial and third in the U21/23 women’s single scull time trial at the Tasmanian State Club Regatta. She is a great competitor, both individually and in crew boats, and she constantly places well in crew events at the Tasmanian State Club Regattas. Wain is indeed a knowledgeable athlete in all regards and will be hoping to take home some more silverware at this regatta.
University of Qld – Gabrielle Ryan
Ryan is another athlete who has gained valuable experience on the lake through her school racing. She began her school season at the BSRA Head of The River, placing second as well as taking a seat in the undefeatable All Hallows’ Open First Eight, which claimed the gold. At the Queensland Schools’ Championship Regatta, Ryan again took home silver in the scull against Hannah Johansson. In the previous year’s Queensland states, Ryan placed third in the U19 women’s single scull. Most recently, she was second at the 2025 Queensland State Championships in the U19 single scull and so I expect her to fight hard this weekend.
Newcastle Grammar – Annabel McKensey
With a relatively minimalistic CV compared to some of her contemporaries, Annabel McKensey has vouched for quality over quantity in her appearences. She finished first in the schoolgirl’s single scull at the NSW All Schools Championships and third in the schoolgirl’s quad. She was also a bronze medallist in the U21 women’s single scull at the NSW Sprint Championships. If she continues this impressive streak, she may be in with a shout of a medal.
Loreto Normanhurst – Annabel Roche
Annabel Roche was part of the Loreto Normanhurst first eight, which took second at the previous NSW Schools regatta in the Division One First Eight. Roche also finished fifth in the schoolgirl’s single scull at both the Loreto Normanhurst Regatta and the Loreto Kiribilli Regatta. A few months have passed since these results, so Roche may be coming to this regatta with a new found speed in the sculling event.
Canberra Grammar
While the name of the athlete is unknown to the competition, what is known is that Canberra Grammar has been known to create formidable athletes. There is no doubt that the athletes for this year’s regatta will be no different, and they will be sure to create a challenge for the rest of the roster.
Prediction
This event has a range of experience and strength in the starting roster. Gabrielle Ryan is my favourite for the title, and I expect May Wain to be on her tail following her impressive showings this season. Expect the two Annabels to also place prominently.
Podium Prediction
University of Qld – Gabrielle Ryan
Scotch Oakburn – May Wain
Newcastle Grammar – Annabel McKensey
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