Welcome to the final club event of the New Zealand 2024/25 season: the New Zealand Rowing Championships. Held on the spectacular waters of Lake Ruataniwha in Twizel, don’t let the beauty fool you. The battle for gold and the prized redcoats will be intense.
Veronica Wall
Veronica Wall is one of the most dominant female scullers in New Zealand, with an exceptional track record in the single scull. Hailing from Ashburton, she comes from a rowing family, with her father, Justin Wall, being a renowned coach who has developed numerous successful athletes, including his own children. Her sister, Isabel Wall, is a national champion and para-rower, while her brother, Gerard Wall, has competed at a high level, rowing for Otago University and training under legendary coaches like Dick Tonks.
From an early age, Veronica displayed immense talent in the single scull. Her achievements at the Maadi Cup are unparalleled, winning every single scull event from U16 to U18 twice and becoming a three-time champion in the U18 single. In a remarkable feat at the 2016 Maadi Cup, she won the U16, U17, and U18 single sculls all in the same competition. That year, she was selected for the Junior World Rowing Championships, where she placed fourth in the women’s quad. In 2017, while still in high school, she won both the U20 and senior women’s single at the New Zealand Rowing Championships. She again competed at the Junior World Championships, this time in the double scull. In her final year of high school in 2018, she repeated her U20 and senior women’s single titles at the NZ Rowing Club Championships, further proving her dominance. Later that year, she competed at the Junior World Championships in the women’s single, finishing just outside the medals in fourth.
After high school, Veronica was recruited to Yale University, where she continued to develop her skills on the international stage. Now back in New Zealand, she has consistently performed at the highest level, securing multiple national titles across various boat classes, and has raced on the world stage. At this year’s North Island Club Champs, she won the women’s premier single scull and claimed bronze in the women’s premier double scull. Heading into this year’s New Zealand Rowing Championships, Veronica has significant momentum and is considered the favourite in the women’s premier single. Despite all her success, she has yet to win a premier event at the national level. Could this be the year she claims her first redcoat?
Kathryn Glen
Kathryn Glen began her rowing journey at Villa Maria College in Christchurch, following in the footsteps of her older sister, Laura. Determined to make her mark in the competitive squad, Kathryn thrived in Villa’s team environment, securing multiple medals at the Maadi Cup. In her final year, she achieved an impressive third-place finish in the girls’ U18 single.
Her strong performances at school level earned her selection for the New Zealand Junior Rowing Team in 2018. Competing at the World Rowing Junior Championships in Racice, Czech Republic, Kathryn teamed up with Stella Clayton-Greene in the women’s double sculls, where they claimed a hard-fought bronze medal. After finishing school, Kathryn joined the Southern Regional Performance Centre (RPC) to further develop her sculling abilities. She quickly made a name for herself in domestic competitions, consistently placing among the top scullers at the National Championships. Her rapid progression led to her selection for the New Zealand U23 Team, where she competed in the women’s quad.
Like many athletes, Kathryn’s international opportunities were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, preventing her from racing overseas in 2020 and 2021. However, she continued to compete nationally and returned to the world stage in 2022 at the U23 World Rowing Championships in Varese, Italy, where her quad placed seventh. The year 2023 proved to be a breakthrough for Kathryn. She was selected for the Rowing NZ Summer Squad and later secured a spot in the women’s elite quad, competing at the ‘Regatta of Death’ in Lucerne, Switzerland. Known as one of the most intense regattas on the calendar, Kathryn’s crew delivered a strong performance, though narrowly missed Olympic qualification. Despite this, her talent was recognized, and she was named a non-travelling reserve for the Paris Olympic Games. She also raced alongside Bella Carter at World Cup III, where they finished fifth.
Looking ahead to the 2024 National Championships, Kathryn is a dark horse in the women’s premier single. At the North Island Club Championships, she claimed bronze in the premier single and silver in the women’s double, proving she is in strong form. While some may overlook her as a contender, Kathryn has the ability to surprise the field and pull off a major upset.
Notable Mentions
Shannon Cox has been dominating the women’s premier single sculls in the South Island, with a strong track record at both North and South Island regattas. Shannon has established herself as a top lightweight sculler, with multiple national titles, international experience, and a standout performance at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. She’s a strong contender for this year’s regatta.
Olivia Key, a rising star from Dunstan Rowing Club, has quickly made a name for herself with standout performances at both the school and senior levels. After impressive results at the Maadi Cup and regional championships, including a commanding victory in the women’s premier quad at the 2025 Canterbury Championships, her versatility in both sculling and sweeping disciplines makes her a formidable competitor. Her consistent podium finishes at the New Zealand Rowing Championships further solidify her as one to watch at nationals.
Prediction
While Kathryn Glen is undoubtedly a dominant force with an impressive track record, I believe Veronica Wall’s momentum is simply too strong to overlook. With her consistent national victories and commanding performances leading into this year’s championships, Veronica enters as the clear favourite. Kathryn has the potential to challenge, but Veronica’s form and experience in the single scull give her the edge in this showdown.
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