The Shiplake 1st VIII were on the road to success. After some strong performances at events like the Scullers Head and Quintin Head, at which they were awarded the Victor Ludorum for best overall club results, they were looking forward to the rowing season to get properly underway. Just two weeks ago they were ready to retain the crown at the Schools’ Head of The River, with eyes also on the National Schools’ Regatta and Henley Royal Regatta.
For the Year 13 boys, this was their moment and this was Shiplake’s year, led by Director of Rowing, David Currie and the 1st VIII coach, Hugh Mackworth-Praed.
Mr Mackworth-Praed himself had recently been shortlisted for Coach of the Year, at the British Rowing Awards 2020. The awards night itself has also been postponed and we await to hear when the winners will be announced.
They had worked so hard, the early starts, the endless hours of training, but that all came to an abrupt end when school closures were announced and sporting events, including HRR, cancelled for the foreseeable future.
However, in a touching tribute to their dedication and drive, Mr Currie offers some comfort and advice on dealing with the setback, in a personal letter to the crew:
Gentlemen,
I am absolutely gutted for all of you.
You have had one hell of a journey and to have your opportunity taken away from you is heartbreaking for you and everyone involved. This project has been years in the making and many people have been a part of putting you in the position you have found yourself in this year. I write this email to you the 1st VIII but I have copied in some major players in the whole project.
As gutted as you are please feel some comfort in the support you have from all those that have invested so much time in helping you realise your dream.
What can I say, life can be cruel and you are experiencing this first hand right now. But the making of a man is how you deal with this set back and disappointment. You can blame the World and get emotional about it, or reflect on your journey at Shiplake College Boat Club and what it has given you. The skills and experiences you have gained through being a rower at Shiplake College will undoubtedly set you up to be successful men in your chosen field. It has been an absolute pleasure for all of us to be a part of your journey.
I apologise for my ramblings but felt it was only right to contact you directly to express my feelings as Director of Rowing. I know this announcement will have hit Mr Mackworth-Praed hard and I'm sure you will stand with me to thank him for all his efforts and selfless hard work in preparing you to be the best crew possible this year.
Shiplake College will win HRR one day and when it happens I hope you feel great satisfaction in the fact you were very much a part of the campaign.
Please keep training over the next few weeks and adding your scores to the new system. By doing this you inspire the future Senior rowers and set an awesome example to the Boat Club, this will help build upon the culture you have cultivated over the years.
Please feel free to contact me to talk over these challenging weeks. I do hope we are able to say our formal farewell at the end of term, but in these uncertain times who knows. Please be assured we will have a formal goodbye one way or another in the coming months.
Keep training, keep your heads up.
Mr Currie
In response to the heartfelt letter, one of the crew members replied: “My journey at Shiplake College has been incredible and I will forever remember all the memories rowing for Shiplake and representing the boat club. And even if Henley has been cancelled, I still think that enjoying every single part of rowing at the college, for the past two years, will forever be the best memory.
“Thank you for everything, my passion for rowing won’t stop after this obstacle. I hope one day, hopefully next year, to be finally racing at Henley, still remembering my roots and winning one day for the Shiplake College first VIII of 2020.”
