ROWING
SWIMMING & WATER POLO
JAMIE LARGE (YEAR 12)
R owing at Dulwich is unique in that it is more than just a games option. From the moment that one joins in Year 9, it becomes a major part of life. Boys will find themselves competing against crews from all across the country and sometimes even internationally. Because of this, the sport requires a determination like no other and it takes a certain kind of person to be able to put oneself through the training required. That being said, it would be wrong to think that every boy who walks through the door in Year 9 already has such an inbuilt sense of motivation and discipline. How is it, then, that any one of these individuals finds the motivation that might put them up on that podium little under a year later? The answer is simple. At Dulwich College, the boat club creates athletes from boys. An environment is fostered that relishes success at every level of the sport and which encourages boys to take motivation from each other and to push one another to better themselves. As Alex McGowan in Year 11 says, ‘rowing has developed me as a person and I have formed lasting relationships with crew members in working together to reach one goal. Without it, I would definitely be a less resilient and rounded person’. Indeed, having spoken to pupils of all ages, one thing became very clear about the boat club. Many said that they would have found it very difficult to participate in such a sport if it weren’t for the friendliness of both the coaches and the other boys. ‘There is a friendly atmosphere at the boat club, which helps with the intense training schedule. It is a sport like no other’, said Fergus Thomas in Year 9. The environment at the boat club really is like no other. The boat club breaks down the barriers between boys of all ages; this allows the younger athletes to learn from the older athletes and creates what can only be described as a family. With such motivated athletes and such a great environment here at the boat club, it is to be expected that we would achieve some excellent results. After medalling in a few minor events such as Teddington Head at the beginning of the year, February brought about the first major event, Hampton Head. This proved to be the most successful race that Dulwich has ever taken part in at such an early stage in the season. This was evident amongst all squads, as each one brought home at least one medal, despite racing in the notoriously difficult Championship level categories. The Head season came to its peak with the National Schools’ Head and The Scullery. Despite many
MISS TRACY PALMER
S wimming and Water Polo have been on the increase both in terms of participation numbers and success over the last half a decade, with no signs of any speed bumps in the near future. The introduction of Mr Balazs Kis in 2013 gave an already growing Water Polo squad an increased level of knowledge and training. Although very different sports, Swimming and Water Polo have complimented each other and given the College renewed structure and status in the schools’ competition world. Boys who had previously given up competitive swimming have found reason to enter the pool again and use their years of training and unique skills for another sport. In turn, the success of the Water Polo teams has made selection much more competitive, giving boys a renewed motivation to train and to race. The resulting achievement of all three national Water Polo squads positioned Dulwich College firmly as one of the top six Water Polo schools in the country. The swimmers also boast a number of national event finals as well as finishing 12th in the Bath Cup in the fastest ever time a Dulwich team has recorded in both the Freestyle and Medley events. There are a few individuals who deserve a special mention, as without their sheer passion for the sport during this season many others would not have been motivated to train and play at such a high level. First is
Billy Roberts, our Water Polo Captain, who has been an excellent example of what can be achieved through hard work and persistence. Billy has shown an ability and talent in the water from a young age and I am very proud to have seen him become one of the most influential Water Polo players in the senior team. Theo Forbes and James Redshaw have also been hugely valuable both on tour, in competition and in supporting younger players. Leo Pashov will step up and take over as Water Polo Captain next year and I have no doubt he will continue where Billy leaves us and push forward next year. Isaac Edey, Buzz Robb, Josh Gooding and Ethan Staunton have continued to gain success, both inside and outside of the College team, with club, regional and national training and representation. The U14 team have grown in stature, especially in the last few months, with Max Bliss and Louie Roberts among others really starting to make their presence felt in the pool. There are too many more boys to mention individually, but without each and every one we would not be enjoying this rejuvenation of Water Polo at Dulwich College. Finally, a nod to a few of our future stars – Josh McConnell, Fred Robb, Rowan Gooding and Max Rowley Sanchez – who are really leading the drive for the Lower School. A thank you must lastly go to Mr Wakely, Dr Parsons and Miss Webber for their time and dedication. Without them the full programme simply would not run.
RALPH ELLISON (YEAR 10) ‘Rowing at Dulwich has taught me discipline I’d never have dreamed of. It has built a team that is unlike any other and has shaped my life like nothing else’ of the squads being plagued with injury or illness, every crew put in solid performances, with the J16s picking up a silver medal in the 2nd VIIIs category and almost all crews coming at least in the top six in a national event. More excellent results poured in as racing reached the National Schools Regatta, one of the biggest events in the rowing calendar. Both the J14 B and C octuple qualified for the J14 2nd octuples semi-final. Meanwhile, the A octuple narrowly missed out on a position in their final after coming 3rd in the fastest semi-final of the day. The 1st IV missed out on a final position by just 0.2 seconds, after what was one of the closest races of the competition. The J15 A boat bounced back after falling just short of a medalling position in the final of the eights race, to secure a bronze medal in the quad, with an excellent comeback performance, having been down off the start. The most successful racing came from the J16 A eight who secured a gold medal in the J16 1st eight category with more than a length of clear water over their nearest opposition, in what was an explosive race. Every athlete can walk away from the Regatta extremely proud of what they have achieved after a long year of tough training. With such exceptional results from the J16s and 1st IV, I hold high hopes going towards Henley Royal Regatta as I believe we can further the success that we had as a 1st VIII the previous year. I also hold high hopes for Daniel Gorenkin in his pursuit of racing for Great Britain at the Junior World Championships as he has already made it to final trials after months of trialling.
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