Head of the River Adelaide: School girls eight rowing race set to be the closest finish in its history

SA’s biggest and most prestigious school sports event is back with a record 1200 rowers competing for glory. The First Girls VIII is set to be the race to watch.

Rowers ready for the 2021 Head of the River. (L-R) Zoe Walker (Seymour College), Emma Jolly (Wilderness School) and Maddie Bardy (Walford Anglican School). Picture: Roy VanDerVegt.

They’ve been the top four performing school rowing crews in their race all season and now these young athletes are ready for their grand final.

Maddie Bardy (Walford Anglican School), Zoe Walker (Seymour College), Emma Jolly (Wilderness School) and Imogeone Mons (Scotch College) are preparing for the Schoolgirls First VIII race at the prestigious Head of the River rowing regatta tomorrow.

That race is tipped to be the closest since the event began in 1988.

GALLERY: Look out for our photos of all the action on Advertiser.com.au on Saturday afternoon

This year’s edition will be even more special following last year’s shortened Head of the River which went ahead with only the seniors following the COVID-19 outbreak.

Walker, who is Seymour’s First VIII coxswain, says her crew is ready to give it their all after winning last year.

“We would be the only school, apart from Walford, to win back-to-back in 20 years, which would be absolutely incredible,” Walker said.

Seymour College girls celebrate the 2020 Head of the River. Picture: Mike Burton

“At our school we talk so much about women in sport and the importance of recognising and supporting us.

“Winning a title like this … would mean a lot for the progression of women in sport.”

Seymour and Wilderness share a healthy rivalry and Jolly said her teammates were keen to take home the trophy.

“We are feeling quite confident,” Jolly said.

“We have done lots of training so I’m excited to see the outcome.

“It would be such a great achievement for us and the coaches.”

Bardy, meanwhile, has overcome many challenges to row in the biggest race of the season, including a back injury.

She said triumphing would be reward for all the hard work.

“I think it’s going to be a really tough race,” Bardy said.

“I’ve had a back injury for two and a half years but I am rowing through.

“Being able to put together a race and win after everything we’ve been through I think would just be really emotional for everyone.”

Scotch co-captain Imogeone Mons said having family and friends watch this weekend’s race would make it extra special.

Scotch rowers at the 2019 Head of the River. (L-R) Lulu Colgrave, Grace Shearer, Marie Pechellis and Imogeone Mon. Picture: Emma Brasier

“To many of us this may the our last race, our last row as a crew, we have become a family and it will be very sad for this journey to be over,” Mons said.

Pulteney Grammar will host the Head of the River – in it’s 99th year – for the second consecutive time to make up for 2020 being a shortened event.

Although this year’s regatta will be relatively back to normal, Rowing SA has put COVID-safe plans in place and only a crowd of 2000 people will be allowed.

There will be 1200 students, Years 8 to 12 from 15 different high schools — both public and private — taking part in the Head of the River (see list below) which is at West Lakes on Saturday from 8.30am.

Competing schools:

■ Adelaide High School

■ Christian Brothers College

■ Loreto College

■ Norwood Morialta High School

■ Pembroke School

■ Prince Alfred College

■ Pulteney Grammar School

■ Scotch College

■ Seymour College

■ St Ignatius’ College

■ St Peter’s College

■ St Peter’s Girl’s School

■ Unley High School

■ Walford Anglican School

■ Wilderness School