Rowers storm to 15 medals in Welsh Championships

November 27, 2020

Pupils at Monmouth School for Girls clinched five coveted titles in an outstanding 15-medal haul at the Welsh Rowing Virtual Championships.

The event incorporated the Scottish Rowing Indoor Championships and the Monmouth girls stormed to five gold, six silver and four bronze medals in the thrilling competition.

Despite Mr Harry Perry’s involvement in organising the day, he also competed in the men’s relay event and steered his team to a gold medal and a Welsh title.

Mrs Kate Callaghan, Head of rowing at Monmouth School for Girls, said: “As coaches, we are immensely proud of our girls’ wonderful achievements.

“They all showed great determination as they raced in the school sports hall on the Concept 2 machines with the help of a projector screen system.

“However, it wasn’t just about the performances, our whole squad was supportive of each other and every girl played a part.”

The Women’s Junior 15 squad from Year 10 swept the board in the individual event with Eleanor winning the winning the Welsh title, followed by runner-up, Rose, and third-placed, Tabatha.

The Year 10 squad also dazzled in the 60-second relay teams-of-four event with Rose, Charlotte, Lauren and Holly clinching gold, Charlotte, Josie, Flo and Grace notching silver and Tabatha, Jemima, Lois and Meg winning bronze.

The Year 11 girls of Ellie, Amelia, Sophie and Elina won gold, Ailsa, Tats, Hope and Maddie, silver and Abbie, Zara, Hannah and Katie, bronze.

The year 12 squad, competing in Women’s J18 category, shone in the relay event, which was a 90-second row in teams of four. Rosie, Alicia, Izzy and Phoebe claimed gold, while Eleanor, Lara, Ellie and Charlotte won silver.

The senior girls of Anna, Hattie, Darcy and boat club captain, Sasha, brought home the last leg in the Women’s student category and blitzed to a team gold, defeating Bangor and Swansea University.

Earlier, Year 8 pupil, Ailsa, got the action under way in the Women’s Junior 13 category, bagging a silver medal that paved the way for a fantastic day of results for the school.

The Year 9 squad excelled in the 60-second relay teams-of-four event with Gianna, Sophia, Daisy and Carys taking silver and with Issy, Cerys, Summer and Ellie, bronze.

Mr Robin Fletcher, Boatman and Coach at Monmouth School for Girls, said: “This was a fantastic set of results for the club and our girls showed great energy and enthusiasm to create a wonderful, competitive atmosphere throughout a successful and memorable day.”

Mr Fletcher thanked all the coaches who gave the girls encouragement and cleaned equipment after each race.  He also paid tribute to Mr Perry, the coach who masterminded all the girls’ online races and timings, along with the school’s IT department.