The Otago University Rowing Club won several prizes at the annual Blues and Golds Awards
The Otago University Rowing Club’s stellar year has been recognised with major prizes at a recent awards ceremony.
The club recently won OUSA Sports Club of the Year, athlete Hannah Matehaere (Ngāti Raukawa) was named University of Otago Māori Sportsperson of the Year, and Professor Neil Carr was OUSA Coach of the Year at the annual Blues and Golds Awards.
Five of its athletes – Charlie Barclay, Luke Brock, Millie Scott, Olivia Piebenga and Toby Robinson – also picked up Blues, which are awarded for sporting excellence.
Head coach Glen Sinclair says winning club of the year is a huge honour.
“We are really proud that our athletes are able to represent the University in sport while also studying for a world-class degree,” Glen says.
“We are also extremely proud of the membership of our club, from our diverse group of ethnicities and nationalities to the wide range of abilities – our beginners are just as important as our seniors.”
Hannah’s rise through the rowing ranks has been particularly impressive, he says.
She took up the sport about three years ago and later this year will join the New Zealand Elite Summer Squad, a small group of the country’s best rowing athletes, to train at Lake Karapiro.
“What makes Hannah’s achievements even more remarkable is that she is in her fifth year of medical school.”
Balancing university duties with rowing is not just common among the athletes – coach Neil is also a Professor in the Department of Tourism.
While he may not love the limelight, Neil says he was humbled by his award.
“I coach, I teach, I supervise all because I like doing it and it feels like the right thing to do, to help others,” he says.
“It’s never about rewards or awards. If others like what I do and how I do it, I like that because hopefully it means they are enjoying themselves.”
He started rowing when he was 12 years old and hasn’t stopped – besides his final undergraduate year when he had to hide the boat from himself so he could focus on his studies.
“Rowing is my happy place,” he says.
“Rowing, coaching, coxing – it’s all a space I love and if I can help others along the way then no worries at all.”
While he may shy away from recognition, that does not stop the club from celebrating him.
“We honoured what he has done for our students and the club by naming a new skiff after him earlier this year,” Glen says.
“The beginner athletes absolutely love him.”
And it seems he is in good company.
Glen credits the “great people” who have contributed to the club’s success – from the President and Vice-President who oversee the club and “genuinely care about our students”, to the volunteer coaches who oversee all abilities on the water, and student coaches who look after the Special Olympic athletes.
“And our students are pretty amazing – if they can get themselves up just after 5am to come rowing then it makes it really easy to want to help them and make their experience worthwhile and enjoyable.”
He also paid tribute to many of the club’s supporters, including Marcel Gray, David Richwhite, Sir Murray Brennan, Bill and Helen Lindqvist, and Former Chancellor John Ward.
“And, of course, OUSA who own and maintain the OUSA Aquatic centre which is seen as the best club rowing facility in the country.”
The club was named New Zealand Rowing Club of the Year earlier in the year.
