Chanting banned at Ballarat Head of the Lake rowing regatta

Seven schools attending the Ballarat Head of the Lake rowing regatta have been banned from chanting because of Covid-19.

Schools attending the Ballarat Head of the Lake rowing regatta have been banned from chanting because of Covid-19.

Seven schools will compete in the event from Sunday February 27 at Lake Wendouree.

Host of the regatta, Ballarat High School principal Gary Palmer, confirmed on Monday the schools had decided to take a “consistent” approach to Covid compliance and ban chanting.

“All seven school principals met and had a consistent approach to Covid compliance and safety in the sport. Singing and not physical distancing I think is the biggest health issue,” Mr Palmer said.

It comes after Melbourne Grammar banned chanting for a few weeks in a move called “shameless” by some members of the community.

In Ballarat, spit crews — also known as cheer squads — will be allowed.

Mr Palmer said each school would have an assigned section on the western side of the finish line and crowds would be capped at one person per 0.75 square metres.

Traditionally, Ballarat High School’s Year 12 students have been allowed to attend but Mr Palmer said they would not be at this weekend’s event.

“The last thing I want to do is take 200 years 12s with (only) 20 staff and have them try and control the crowd,” he said.

Mr Palmer said the sideline restrictions imposed would “keep the rowers rowing”.

He said in the past capacity and crowd restrictions had stopped the spread of Covid throughout the rowing community.

Mr Palmer said he hoped the restrictions including banning chanting at this week’s event would keep the sport Covid-free.