It is a great privilege to have been elected as President in 2017. I hope that the Union can continue to serve women in rowing in the outstanding way that previous presidents and members have.

It is a privilege that we have a group of women working for women and girls in this wonderful sport.

We have challenges ahead to remain relevant and to raise our profile within rowing. We cannot do this without building our membership. As the membership grows we will be able to support more activities that can benefit more women and schoolgirls

so my focus this year is to enhance our profile by building our membership numbers.

Our special intensive coaching day for masters’ women included a membership fee so we are able to now welcome 15 new members to our Union, which is fantastic.

Our AGM and annual luncheon is a great opportunity for as many members as possible to join together to celebrate rowing friendships and the work of the Union. The 2018 AGM is on 18 November at Leichhardt Rowing Club. Registration is from 11.00 am and lunch will follow at 1.00pm.

I would like to have a planning meeting prior to the AGM on to discuss the direction and activities that we can plan for the immediate future. I hope to bring the outcome of the planning meeting to the AGM for consideration.

Vice President, Katie Kershaw, has offered her home as a venue for the meeting. I would like to hold this on Sunday 21 October from 11am – 1pm. Please note the date in your diary.

I will email further details closer to the time.

Sue Carew

From the Prez

Newsletter 2 2018 Established 1962

Visit to NTC

Past champions meet present and future ones

Page 2

Masters Coaching Day

Page 3

Friendship Day

Planning future projects.

Page 5

Lots of learning and camaraderie

Let’s have a planning day prior to the AGM to set directions and activities.

2

1

A little idea floated at the AGM 2017 to visit the new Hancock Prospecting National Training Centre grew into an event that featured some women champions of the past being introduced to the women champions of today and the future. This was the brainchild of discussions between John Keogh the Women’s National Coach and Deanna Fekete from the NSW Union of Oarswomen and member of the Board of RowingNSW.

It was decided that we would prepare a breakfast for the rowers when they came in from their morning row and share the meal and stories. John had mentioned that the current crews didn’t really have much knowledge about the women rowers of the past and he welcomed the opportunity for us to introduce some of them to his current squad.

The past women champions who agreed to attend were Margaret Mackenzie, Wendy Tomlinson, Anne Titterton, Evelyn Sommer and Lydia Miladinovic. They all shared some insights into their careers and stories which were enjoyed immensely by all present. Representing the Union were also Deanna Fekete, Helen Ritchie, Judy Mann, Therese Clancy, Karen Law and Sue Carew, which rounded the gathering up to 45 people.

Women rowing champions of the past meet present and future champions

2

Afterwards when the squad had returned to training, John Keogh treated us all to a tour of the facility. It is a dream come true for our Australian women rowers to have available.

It was a wonderful morning and a huge vote of thanks to Judy Mann for her amazing breakfast fit for the queens of rowing, past and present.

3

1

We held our first ever Novice Masters Women Intensive Coaching Day on Saturday June 16 at the Leichhardt Rowing Club.

The subcommittee of Deanna Fekete, Judy Mann and Sue Carew established the guidelines for running this program. We decided to target the novice masters women, in their first 3 years of rowing/racing and limit it to sculling in quads. We felt that 4 quads each with a coach would be the optimum to try for.

Various stakeholders were consulted and NSW Rowing agreed to advertise the day on their website and also to send out the flyer to clubs where there are masters women rowing. Very useful suggestions came from Alan Bennett of NSW Rowing, Sue Walter and Sue Wannan from North Shore which helped shape our program.

We were fortunate to secure four wonderful coaches; Denise Probst, Hally Chapman, Kathleen Hextell and Sue Wannan plus Marguerite Pain and Helen Ritchie volunteered to be part of the coaching team. The Leichhardt Rowing Club generously allowed us to use their facility plus 4 quads and 4 tinnies. Judy Mann again did a tremendous catering effort and everyone appreciated the delicious and substantial meals that she presented.

We also had Chloe Congdon present stretching routines and Deanna Fekete conducted an ergometer session with interesting variations for our participants.

The course filled very quickly and we had participants from four Sydney clubs: Sydney Womens’ Rowing Club, Leichhardt Rowing

Novice Masters Women Intensive Coaching Day

2

Club, North Shore Rowing Club and St George Rowing Club. We had a waiting list of 6 people who were ready to step in should anyone drop out at the last minute.

Of the 16 participants, 14 opted to join the Union so this has been a very welcome injection to our membership base.

The program planned for 3 on water sessions but the weather had other ideas. We had to abandon the third post lunch session as Iron Cove did its usual whipping up the white caps so instead we ran an erg relay. This proved to be somewhat of a highlight as three teams of five rowed their hearts out for 400 metres each. Each team had to cover 2Kms but the changeover between rowers generated a lot of hilarity. Some rowers were heard to lament afterwards the amount of lunch they had eaten!

Altogether a great day, lots of learning and good will and camaraderie between 16 novice masters women.

We were fortunate to secure four wonderful coaches; Denise Probst, Hally Chapman, Kathleen Hextell and Sue Wannan

16 participants did stretching exercises, an ergometer session & on

water training.

Marguerite Pain, Helen Ritchie & Chloe Congdon contributed great expertise on the day

4

Continued…

“Deanna Fekete conducted an ergometer session with interesting variations for our participants”.

Marguerite Pain and Helen Ritchie also volunteered to be part of the coaching team.

5

Date: 18 November 2018

Venue: Leichhardt Rowing Club

Registration 11.00am

AGM 11.30am

Lunch: 1.00pm: ($20 per head)

To assist with catering please RSVP by 13 November to Shirley Stokes sastokes@ozemail.com.au

2018 Annual General Meeting and Lunch

Thirteen members attended the General Meeting and Friendship Day at North Shore Rowing Club. Unfortunately the weather precluded members going out for a row.

Matters discussed at the General Meeting:

• Treasurer reported total of $9,939.11 in two bank accounts. Discussed changing banks to one more responsive to our needs.

• Reports on Schoolgirl Head of the River, High School regatta and visit to the National Training Centre (all reported in detail in this and the previous newsletter.

• Plans for the upcoming Masters training day (refer p.3)

• Annual trophy for woman para-rower. • Plan to find ways for masters rowers

to get more racing experience (aimed at those whose needs not being met at the moment through their clubs.

• Consideration of presenting trophy at Head of the River for schoolgirl 2x. champion 2x.

General Meeting and Friendship Day 3 June 2018

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Joining the NSW Union of Oarswomen Inc.

If not already a member for 2018-2019 please consider joining the Union.

We do a lot with our fees and rely on our members' support.

Annual Membership fees: $30 Concession: $20 Schoolgirl: $10

You can pay three ways (see below) by cash, cheque or electronic payment.

1. You may join at the AGM. Please complete the following and bring with you.

Name: ________________________________________________________________________ Address: _______________________________________________________________________ Post Code : ________ Telephone ______________ Mobile ______________________ Email ___________________________________________________________________

Fee sent (Circle): Full Membership: $30 Concession: $20 Schoolgirl: $10

2. You can complete the above form and post your cheque, payable to ‘NSW Union of Oarswomen Inc. to: Helen Ritchie, 12 Dalton Road, Mosman 2088. OR 3. You can arrange an electronic Transfer to: NSW Union of Oarswomen Inc. Bank: Westpac BSB: 032 197 Account Number: 149998 Identify with your Surname followed by your given name e.g. Smith Mary

By becoming a member of our Union you will support women and schoolgirls rowing in NSW. By attending one of our meetings you can help shape our actions to support its goals.

The last Annual General Meeting modified the goals of the Union. The revised goals are:

• To preserve and promote the interests of women in rowing through advocacy and representation

• To support schoolgirl rowing in New South Wales • To promote and support women in rowing, including attaining leadership roles • To promote and publicise achievements of women in rowing • To assist at the staging of selected regattas.