Genazzano adds six new rowing boats to its fleet

Genazzano FCJ College has added six new rowing boats to its fleet which now comprises 26 boats.

There is a strong tradition at the College for new boats to have names closely linked to Genazzano, including the foundress of the Society of Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ)—Marie Madeleine d’Houët, as well as past students, milestones and buildings.

This year, following the endorsement of the Genazzano Rowing Parents Committee, the other five boats are named FCJ Bicentenary, to acknowledge the special milestone of the Society of the Faithful Companions of Jesus; Hopetoun Hall, acknowledging the Genazzano boarders who row; Grange Hill, to recognise the Junior School students who aspire to be rowers; and past students, Harriet Chesterfied and Catherine Sharkey, who were members of the winning senior crew of the Head of Schoolgirls’ Regatta in 2008.

The investment into the new fleet provides an opportunity to re-establish the Genazzano program as one of the top performing schoolgirl rowing programs in Australia; and follows a very successful period of growth in recent years, with 120 girls participating in rowing in 2020.

The boats arrive as part of a long term plan to maintain the highest standards of equipment, matching the high aspirations of the College program.

At Gen, girls can experience rowing starting from Year 8, as part of ‘Gen Go Row’. This introductory program is held in Term Three and helps students learn to row. From here, rowers progress into the Junior Daniher Squad in Term Four and Term One the following year.

In Year 9, girls row in the Intermediate Canty squad and the Year 10 and 11 girls row for two years in the Senior Radford Squad. A season runs from terms three to one, with girls completing four full seasons if they continue through to Year 12.

The squads—Daniher, Canty and Radford are named after three of the five girls from the 2008 State and National Championship winning quad, with the remaining two girls, Harriet Chesterfield and Catherine Sharkey honoured for their contribution by two of this season’s new boats.

Genazzano Head of Rowing, Mr Peter Campbell shared his excitement about the new boats.

“I am very excited to see the expansion and upgrade of our College fleet”, he said.

“The rowers and coaching staff are honoured by the investment of the College; and the trust they place in us to represent Genazzano on the water”.

The full fleet includes 3 eights, 10 fours, 5 pairs and 8 singles boats, allowing even more girls to join the sport and try out rowing as one of 130 different co-curricular activities on offer at Genazzano.

Rowing is a unique sport that combines physical endurance and precision; and can help students develop the skills they need to succeed in life – a growth mindset, physical and psychological resilience, courage, stamina and determination.

Participation in the Genazzano Rowing Program has continued to grow year on year with 107 girls in 2019 and now 120 in 2020.

“This is a reflection of the outstanding inclusive culture promoted by our team of rowing staff”, shared Ms Karen Jebb, Principal.

The rowing program has firmly established itself as a popular program in the College’s varied co-curricular schedule.

“Our first measure of success has been the recruitment and retention of girls from Year 8 through to Year 12; and we are very proud that girls love to row, and love to row for Genazzano”.

On the water, it is a point of pride that Genazzano ranks highly among Victorian schools, especially in the junior and intermediate year groups, with solid foundations established for achieving greater success, while actively promoting the passion and enthusiasm that is a trademark of a Gen girl.

Genazzano FCJ College is a Catholic Day and Boarding School in Kew offering a co-educational Early Learning Centre and all-girls’ environment from Prep to Year 12. It offers students a rounded education that prepares them to become resilient, adaptable and confident women.