On Friday 9 June, our Boat Club gathered in the Great Hall for its annual End of Year Dinner. There were pupils from Year 9 through to Year 13 present on the evening in addition to all of the coaches who had dedicated their time and expertise to the group.
There were a number of awards handed out during the evening as well as speeches. Captains of the Boats, Fred Fox and Georgia Catlin both spoke with Georgia saying:
‘Back in October, I had the honour to attend the Boat Club’s 60th Anniversary dinner. There were former Shiplake Headmasters, Olympians, and even the first Shiplake boys to win Henley (as a combined crew) were present. Old Vikings, some of whom were in their 80s and 90s, attended while others travelled from all over the world: France, America and Canada to come and celebrate the Boat Club.
This was something very rare and special to see. So many people came together all of whom had immersed themselves in a special community for so long and felt so much affiliation to this society.
It struck me that even though you may only row here for two or maybe five years, you become part of a community or a ‘rowing cult’ as we often say that will celebrate your success for many years to follow.
The support for this sport at Shiplake is something unimaginable for most rowers, as with rowing there is no stadium or packed arena. Rowing is day after day of working hard at something very few people understand. So, keep putting that extra 1% into every session, and wear the Shiplake kit with pride, as it will be one the biggest advantages that you carry around.'
Fred added:
‘I really appreciate the time and effort that the coaches put in for us. You guys are the best. A special thanks must also go to all my other teachers for understanding that rowing is sometimes more important than prep! Shiplake is an amazing Boat Club and I have truly loved every moment. Rowing is more than just a sport at this school, and I hope that all of you here get to experience that!’
The awards given out on the evening were as follows:
Senior Awards
- Best Senior Boy – Freddie Middleton
- Best Senior Girl – Jess Weir
- Most Improved Senior Boy – Ben Brooks
- Most Improved Senior Girl – Sophia Mcdavid
- Top Cox – Charlie Keena
Colours were awarded to A Merritt, Lara Vahle, M Jackson, Georgia Catlin, Emily Downing, Emily Over, Jessica Weir, Sophia Foreman, Phoebe Young, Fin Worthington, Leo Creighton, Freddie Middleton, Tom Madden, Harrison Harper, Oliver Smee, Callan Wallis, Matthew Provoost, Ned Floyd, Johannes Meiswinkel, Seric Critchley, Nick Summerfield, Fred Fox, Jack Duggan, Luke Byca, Ben Brooks, Charlie Keena, and Oliver Joiner.
Year 11
- Best Rower – D Wilson
- Most Improved – Josh Dawn
Colours were awarded to Henry Johnston, Liam Cawdell, Luca Poundall, Maxim Fairhurst, Henry Brough, Alfie Malcolm, Joshua Dawn, D Wilson, and Felix Collar.
Year 10
- One to Watch – Freddie Coultas
- Most Improved – Zac Powell
- Best Rower – Will Tavinor
Colours were awarded to Charlie Rees, Elliot Jones, Michael Taylor-FitzGibbon, Oliver Bennett, Freddie Coultas, Will Tavinor, Rupert Evans, and Blair Loggie.
Year 9
- One to Watch – Matt Ball
- Best Rower – Charlie Scott
Colours were awarded to Ethan Miot, Axel Crane, W Houldsworth, J Zacharias, G Wackerle, H Howe-Davies, Ethan Dickinson, Matt Ball, William Nicholas, Alexander Invest, Freddie Holgate, Sam Baker, Matthew Perry, Harry Tilney, Charlie Scott, Max Shevlane, H Cookson, and Michael Joiner.