Geraldine High School has received a $10,000 grant to develop its rowing programme, as efforts continue to reduce financial barriers to participation in the sport.
School rowing in action. Photo: Picture Show Ltd.
The Milford Foundation has doubled its Emerging Schools Rowing Scholarship funding this year to $20,000, with Ngāruawāhia High School also receiving $10,000.
Milford Foundation general manager Lucy Doyle said the foundation wanted more young people to have the opportunity to participate in rowing, regardless of their financial circumstances.
“We don’t think that rowing should be just down to who can afford to row,” she told Rowing New Zealand.
Geraldine established its rowing programme last season with 11 beginners, ten girls and one boy. The squad has since doubled in size, with the funding expected to help purchase equipment and support the programme's development.
In its first season, the school secured a silver medal at the Maadi Cup, with Charlee Cooper and Justina Courage finishing second in the Girls' Under-18 Novice Double Sculls.
Geraldine joins other regional schools achieving success in rowing, including those from Twizel, Timaru and Ōamaru rowing clubs.
In 2023, Twizel Area School's rowing squad travelled to the Maadi Cup at Lake Karāpiro following a community fundraising effort. With accommodation unavailable, the students slept on the floor of Waikato Rowing Club.
The results were extraordinary, the squad reached A finals in all six events entered, winning gold and bronze medals.
Geraldine High School business manager and rowing manager Rae Gaskin said the school's first season had exceeded expectations.
“By the end of the season, they were amazing, and they are all very accomplished rowers now. We couldn’t be prouder,” she told Rowing New Zealand.
The Geraldine programme is supported by Timaru Rowing Club, volunteer coaches, parents and the wider school community.
The Milford Foundation scholarship will help the school meet equipment costs and continue developing its rowing programme as participation grows.
Sources: Rowing New Zealand, 27 October 2026; 1News and Twizel Area School, 2023.