Geelong’s Head of Schoolgirls’ Regatta is back after ban backflip

Geelong’s Head of Schoolgirls’ Regatta was banned over an inability to safely social distance. Now the rowing event is back on.

The Head of the Schoolgirls Regatta is held annually and is a highly anticipated event in the rowing community calendar. Picture: AAP/John Gass.

Rowing mums and dads will be able to watch their girls in the annual Head of Schoolgirls’ Regatta, in Geelong, after a ban backflip.

The HOSG committee met last night to review the ban — implemented due to social distancing fears — at Barwon River for the three-day event from March 12.

The ban enraged parents, sending What’s App rowing parents’ groups into overdrive with many threatening to ignore the directive and turn up and watch their girls row from the river’s south bank.

Under the revised plan, there will be 1800 spectators on the south bank.

Ticket details and the possibility of time allocated sessions are still being worked out.

There are 2106 athletes in the events which culminate with finals on Sunday.

The parents were furious with the move, as some spend up to $4000 for their child to participate and drive their kids to 6am training for months in the lead up to the event.

The HOSG Committee did not respond to the Herald Sun but Rowing Victoria confirmed the change of mind.

Empty marquees line the Barwon River after the Head of the Schoolgirls Regatta was cancelled. Picture: Stephen Harman

Rowing Victoria chief executive Ian Jickell welcomed the change of mind.

“We are very happy that we are able to host a number of parents over the weekend for the Head of the Schoolgirls Regatta and we will ensure that the regatta is run safely and fairly and the experience of each schoolgirl is prioritised,” he said.

While Rowing Victoria took the heat, the decision was made by the HOSG committee.

The operation of the committee is closely guarded and is made up of rowing directors and principal reps from top rowing schools such as MLC, Melbourne Girls’ Grammar School, Geelong Grammar, Loreto Mandeville, St Catherine’s and Genazzano.

There are more than 30 schools in the competition from Melbourne, Ballarat and Geelong. Most are private schools, but Melbourne Girls’ College is among the non-private schools.

Parents unhappy with the ban could not contact the committee.

The HOSG Facebook page hasn’t been updated for a year and angry parents instead shared their discontent on the Rowing Victoria page.

A number even complained to Sports Minister Martin Pakula.

The government confirmed on Tuesday an application for a permit under the public events framework had been lodged.

A Geelong Grammar crew in action at the Head of the Schoolgirls' Regatta in 2019. Picture: Stephen Harman.

Rowing insiders said the HOSG poorly communicated information to parents.

“Ultimately, having missed out on the regatta and so much for the past year, the main thing is for competitors to compete,” an insider said.

There were concerns over the lack of social distancing at earlier rowing events with schools facing fines of $99,000.

“Parents don’t realise that one or two doing the wrong this could work out very expensive.”

Some parents complaining to their schools said they were fobbed off, being told not to rock the boat.

Schools have booked events in Geelong over the three day weekend.

Firbank has cancelled its dinner but other schools are gauging interest.

Parents from half a dozen rowing schools who spoke to the Herald Sun were fuming, as many had booked accommodation months ago.

“It’s an ‘exclusive’ sport with a faceless committee and no explanations,” one parent said.

Schools are planning live streaming events at Geelong venues.

“We can’t socially distance on the river bank but we can gather in a closed venue to watch the livestream. It makes no sense,” one parent said.

Parents who spoke to the Herald Sun wanted to remain anonymous as they didn’t want to get off-side with their schools for speaking out.

It’s the third time in four years the event, the premium girls rowing event in Australia, has been marred.

The event typically gets crowded. Picture: Stephen Harman.

In 2018 it was abandoned on the Sunday due to bad weather.

Last year, as the pandemic hit, the committee cancelled the event on the Friday in what was seen as a premature response.

The APS Regatta for boys is allowing spectators, capping it at 1050 people which works out at two adults per rower.

But the Nagambie venue for the boys’ event, on March 20, is regarded as easier to police social distancing.

The HOSG injects more than two million dollars in the Geelong region and is financially supported by the city.