All the news ahead of Head of the Lake 2023
A HOTL five-peat in the boys’ top division hasn’t been achieved since the mid-1970s. Ballarat Grammar has the chance to pull it off on Sunday. Meet the crews.
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Winning Head of the Lake is a tough ask for any crew, but winning five-straight is something only one school has done in the boys’ top division in the event’s history.
It’s a feat that Ballarat Grammar School’s boys’ first crew has the chance to complete on Sunday on Lake Wendouree, however, coming in as four-time defending champions.
The crew has changed a lot since the winning run started in 2019, Charlie Savage the only returning member from last year’s winning boat.
While it’s not something coach Paul Commons has touched on this season, a win on Sunday would see Grammar join Ballarat Clarendon College (1972-1976) as the only schools to win five-consecutive boys’ titles.
“The responsibility is only that they row their own race,” Commons said.
“It’s not really fair to put anything like that on them, so we haven’t discussed that at all.
“The one, two, three, four in a row, they write themselves individually, but each crew has been different.”
Grammar has continued its emphasis on training in other boats this season, members of the senior squad joining the junior crews in rowing in single, double and quad sculls as well as coxed fours.
It’s a training method that has worked come Head of the Lake for the boys in the past four years, but also sets them up for possible future rowing at higher levels.
“We’ve done a bit in the coxed four but as with previous years, we’ve also raced other boat classes. We scull right up ‘till Christmas in a quad scull,” Commons said.
“(We) continue to try to develop these boys, so we’ll go to nationals and row multiple events as well, so it’s not just about Head of the Lake but obviously (it’s) a prize that everyone sort of eyes off.
“Sometimes we’ve raced the coxed four (and) we’ve focused a little bit more on it, last weekend that’s all we raced, went up to Nagambie for that.”
Clarendon enters Sunday as the favourites in the boys’ top division, however Commons and Grammar know a thing or two about knocking off favourites come Head of the Lake.
“Clarendon were favourites last year … they led by one-and-a-half boat lengths going through halfway,” Commons said.
“Definitely Clarendon, I would say, are the favourites … we’ll be in our lane and we’ll row our race and we’ll be there putting pressure on them for sure.
“It’s one race, the brutal thing about Head of the Lake is it’s one shot … you only get one go at it.
“I have full confidence that we can put a competitive performance together.”
Grammar’s girls crew is seeking to break a three-year losing streak, having not taken out the top race since it won back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2019.
Ella Flamsteed (two seat) and Perri Eaton (stroke) return to the crew from last year’s division one boat, while Aleesha Walker (bow) and Lily Bryant (three seat) have jumped up from last year’s second crew.
Boys Crew
Shayleia Ryan – Cox
“Shay’s moved over to the boys’ side of the shed this year and she came from a Year 10 girls’ first boat,” Commons said.
“She’s done really well … she’s learning her craft, she’s developing her confidence and we’re really pleased with how she’s going.”
Lachie Heath – Bow
“We’ve done quite a bit of sculling and Lachie in particular has been really strong this year, done a lot of racing in the single and won a lot of events,” Commons said.
“Obviously a strong member of the crew as well.”
Charlie Savage - Two seat
“Charlie was in the Head of the Lake boat last year that won, so he’s the older boy this year, he’s in Year 12,” Commons said.
“Charlie’s just a very strong rower, big boy, experienced now after having been to the nationals and Head of the Lake … (he’s) helping lead the other boys, I guess.”
Jonty Faull - Three seat
“He’s also very strong … he just improves every time he goes out, his ergs are strong, his numbers are strong,” Commons said.
“He’s enjoying his rowing.”
Oliver Harris – Stroke
“He stroked the Year 10 ones last year and he actually ended up in the first crew just at the end of (last) year and went to the nationals … when Hugh Bond sort of moved out of the crew for his (footy commitments),” Commons said.
“Ollie’s been showing that potential from back in Year 10 but this is his first full season.”
Girls Crew
Angie Gowty - Cox
Aleesha Walker - Bow
Ella Flamsteed - Two seat
Lily Bryant - Three seat
Perri Eaton - Stroke
Ballarat Clarendon eyeing history-making three-peat at HOTL
While the lure of a third-straight girls’ Head of the Lake crown is “a good thing for us to aspire to”, Ballarat Clarendon College is keeping its eyes firmly in its own boat ahead of Sunday.
Clarendon’s girls crew has never won three Head of the Lake’s in a row and a three-peat has not been achieved in the girls’ open division one event since Ballarat Grammar School won 10 on the trot between 1992-2001.
Clarendon, however, holds a strong chance of completing the feat on Sunday.
They have been the dominant schoolgirls crew over the past three seasons, winning Head of the Lake titles in 2021 and 2022, a schoolgirls coxed four silver medal at the 2021 Australian Rowing Championships and gold medals in the under-19 and schoolgirls coxed four at last year’s nationals.
Katie Jackson and Lucy Richardson have returned to this year’s crew from the 2022 boat, leading Clarendon to multiple wins in lead up regattas.
Clarendon co-head of rowing and girls’ firsts coach Matt Olver said the pair bring “a bit of level-headedness” to the boat.
“Katie and Lucy are the two returnees … exciting for them to come back this season and look to go back-to-back,” he said.
“I think that’s definitely a strength of having returnees in the boat is they’ve been there, they’ve done that.
“They (have) faith in their abilities, I guess, and not getting overwhelmed by what is a big week physically, mentally, emotionally.
“They bring a bit of level-headedness to the crew and that, I think, sets us in a good stead going into Sunday.”
Eyeing a third-straight title, Olver said the crew was in “good spirits”.
“It’s a good thing for us to aspire to,” he said.
“But from my perspective, I’m very keen on just keeping our eyes in our own boat and just focusing on what we can go out and do rather than putting the extra pressure on our shoulders.
“We’re in good spirits, we’re confident in our training to date and just looking forward to going out for that opportunity on Sunday and proving what we are capable of.”
While the girls have dominated Head of the Lake recently, the boys haven’t taken out the top race since 2016.
They enter Sunday as favourites, however, having dominated the lead in regattas.
“Form’s been pretty good, I think we’ve had some reasonably good results in the last few regattas … we’re pretty happy with the form we’ve had,” boys’ coach Ian Peele said.
With rivals St Patrick’s College and Ballarat High School labelling Clarendon as the crew to beat, Peele said it was “testament” to the work the crew has put in.
“It’s probably almost a little bit flattering, I guess, that everybody else out there thinks we’re good enough to win this race,” he said.
“I guess it’s probably testament to the work that the boys have put in.”
Stroke Jock Quartermain and three seat Lachlan Clark have returned to the crew this year after finishing third to Ballarat Grammar School and St Patrick’s in 2022.
Girls Crew
Chloe Tippett – Cox
“Keeping the crew on the straight and narrow is Chloe,” Olver said.
“Coming from the open division two crew last year, Chloe is the motivating and driving force behind these four strong rowers.”
Lily Dwyer – Bow
“Lily has worked so hard in her final season to continually refine her craft,” Olver said.
“Her technical precision and willingness to always learn and develop add sophistication and enthusiasm to the crew.”
Teja Kirsanovs – Two seat
“Joining the crew from intermediate division one last year, Teja has aptly made the transition from sculling to sweep,” Olver said.
“She has shown sheer determination and is a fierce competitor, always striving for success on the water.”
Katie Jackson – Three seat
“Having rowed in open division one last year … Katie is returning to keep the Patterson Shield at BCC,” Olver said.
“Katie dares to achieve more and has kept us all accountable on our journey through this rowing season together.”
Lucy Richardson – Stroke
“Lucy is returning for a second crack at Head of the Lake as an open division one rower, looking to go back-to-back,” Olver said.
“Coming from the bow seat last year, Lucy is now stroking the boat. The voice of reason and embodiment of discipline within our sport.”
Boys Crew
James Tippett – Cox
“James has been the guiding voice in the boat and is super eager to get the boys across the line in the best form possible,” Peele said.
“While the smallest member of the boat, James demands excellence from the rest of the crew and should never be underestimated.”
Alexander Grove – Bow
“Moving up from the open division two crew last year, Alex is the third Year 12 in the boat and is determined to finish his College rowing career on the ultimate high,” Peele said.
“Always striving for more, Alex will stop at nothing to make sure the boat is always moving at its fastest.”
Tristan Nijhof – Two seat
“Tristan has graduated from last year’s intermediate division one crew and has slotted into the boat without a hitch,” Peele said.
“He is eager to produce his best performances whenever required and often pushes his older crewmates to their limits in training. Tristan cannot wait for his opportunity on the big stage.”
Lachlan Clark – Three seat
“Having rowed in the open division one crew last year, Lachlan has left no stone unturned in his preparation for this year’s race,” Peele said.
“Lachlan is an absolute powerhouse and is ready to give his all for the big race.”
Jock Quartermain – Stroke
“Jock is returning from last year’s open division one crew and is looking for redemption. He has a deep desire to succeed and perform well,” Peele said.
“Jock has led from the front in training and racing to give the crew to best opportunity for an excellent result on the day.”
Ballarat High School ready to ‘scare a few of the crews’ at HOTL
While Ballarat High School’s boys’ first crew is a look at the future, coach Chris Nielsen says they hope to “scare a few of the crews” at Head of the Lake on Sunday.
The crew features Year 10 students Harrison Wade and Connor O'Dwyer, while first year rowers Caden Spruce (Year 9, cox) and Aiden Pynn (Year 11, stroke) round out the crew.
Fred Tomich is the only returning member of last year’s firsts boat.
“It’s been a bit up and down, we’ve had to chop and change the crew around, we’ve had a few issues in the crew,” Nielsen said.
“The crew as it is at the moment, it’s been pretty settled since about the start of the year.
“They are pretty inexperienced obviously, couple of Year 10s and Aiden that’s never rowed before.
“In saying that, we think that we can really sort of scare a few of the crews on Sunday and turn a few heads.”
Ballarat Clarendon College enters the boys’ race favourites having dominated the lead in regattas, but Nielsen believes Ballarat High’s race plan should have them in the mix come the end of the race.
“We’ve got our race plan and we’ll sort of stick to that and whatever the other crews do, we’ll let them do that,” he said.
“We think that if we can stick to our race plan, eventually after two kilometres, we’ll be right up there.”
Having not entered a girls’ first crew in Head of the Lake last year, this year’s girls coach Olivia Spagnolo said it was great to be back in the top division.
“It’s really exciting, I think it’s a little bit nerve-racking as well, but I think it’s more so exciting,” she said.
“The girls are coming back and they’re just determined and they want to be as competitive as they can be.
“They just want to get there and do the best that they can.”
The girls’ crew will also feature some younger members, with Zoe Edwards (cox), Hayley Carnes (two seat), Amaylie Coutts (three seat) and Stella Edmonston (stroke) all eligible to return next season.
“I’m asking them every session if they want to come around and stick at it again,” Spagnolo said.
“Our plan is to develop over the two seasons and they’re doing really well.”
Boys Crew
Caden Spruce – Cox
“First year cox and he’s really good, he’s picked it up really well,” Nielsen said.
“He coxes like he’s coxed for a couple of seasons, so he’s been a good pick up Caden.”
Harrison Wade – Bow
“Harry’s in Year 10 … for his age, (he’s) a pretty big boy,” Nielsen said.
“He’s been a good addition to the crew, pretty level headed and keeps them all grounded really, I guess.”
Connor O’Dwyer – Two seat
“Connor’s in Year 10 as well, he’s a very big boy, very strong, so he brings a lot of strength and power to the crew,” Nielsen said.
“He’s a good addition there.”
Fred Tomich – Three seat
“He’s probably the biggest schoolboy rower on the lake, he’s a pretty big unit,” Nielsen said.
“He’s our engine pretty much Fred, we sort of all work around him. He’s been really good as well.”
Aiden Pynn – Stroke
“This is his first season rowing, Aiden, and he’s picked it up really, really well. He’s probably got the potential to go on and row for states and that sort of stuff,” Nielsen said.
“He’s got a really sound technique and he’s picked it up really, really well, really strong and fit.”
Girls Crew
Zoe Edwards – Cox
“Zoe is pretty much my little coach in the boat. She motivates the girls from start to finish,” Spagnolo said.
Chloe Kinnane – Bow
“Chloe is my Year 12 student, so it is her last season of rowing and it’s really exciting having her in the firsts crew, she’s doing a great job,” Spagnolo said.
Hayley Carnes – Two seat
“Hayley has never missed a session, even with injury she adapted her program and she did her best,” Spagnolo said.
Amaylie Coutts – Three seat
“Amaylie is one of my strongest rowers, she takes on board all of the coaching and she puts it right into practice,” Spagnolo said.
“She asks so many questions to always do better every time.”
Stella Edmonston – Stroke
“Stella is one of the most consistent rowers, she’s always determined and she never gives up which is just great,” Spagnolo said.
Damascus College ‘peaking at the right time’ ahead of HOTL
Damascus College rowing co-ordinator Paul Blanchfield says the school’s top two crews are “peaking at the right time” as Head of the Lake approaches.
For the first time in Damascus’ history, it is set to enter crews into the boys’ and girls’ division one and two events, proof of how the program has grown as it enters its ninth Head of the Lake on February 26 on Lake Wendouree.
“I’d say we’re definitely peaking at the right time, we’ve been working hard in training in finalising our selections,” Blanchfield said.
“We’ve had some late season seat changes trying to build the speed of our crews and build the competitiveness of all the crews in all of the divisions.
“We (had) our final lead up regatta (on) Saturday up in Nagambie, we (had) one of the senior boys out sick, so we (were) unable to race the four this weekend, the boys (were) in single sculls instead.
“But we’re hoping to hit the track next week all four and get on top of our training in the lead up to Head of the Lake.”
Damascus’ top girls’ crew will row in division one for a third-straight year, while the division one boys crew is set to compete in the top division for the first time since 2021.
Blanchfield said confidence was high throughout the boat shed that the top two crews can get the job done come Head of the Lake.
“The last time the boys raced particularly, they were at the Head of Schoolboys regatta where we got a bronze medal,” he said.
“Our theme for the senior crews is backing up your mates.
“Whenever we hit the water for a race, it’s not necessarily just about being competitive, but it’s about being out there and being supportive and doing everything you can to make your boat go as fast as possible.”
Entering its ninth Head of the Lake regatta, Blanchfield said the school was excited to see “how far we’ve come”.
“One of the goals at Damascus is just about getting more students engaged in the rowing program.
“We look at the rowing program as an opportunity for personal, social and emotional growth.
“Yes it’s a rowing program (and) we want to be competitive, but at the same time, we look at the rowing program as a way to help our young people learn to be who they are.
“Damascus as a school is really proud of the efforts of every single student in the rowing program.
“We’re really excited to see how far we’ve come at Head of the Lake and we wish the best to every single student competing for Damascus.”
Boys Crew
Matilda Watt – Cox
“Matilda stepped up from intermediates when we were short a cox in the senior program,” Blanchfield said.
“Matilda is a fantastic young girl to work with, her attention to her crew and her attention to the coaching directions given are fantastic and without her, the boys’ crew would not be anywhere near as strong as they are.”
Harrison Kennett – Bow
“Again, great team member, first year senior rower, very good operator in bow seat,” Blanchfield said.
“He’s a great asset in the program overall.”
Flynn Rivett – Two seat
“First year senior rower, has come along all season building his technical strength in sweep rowing, his first season of sweep rowing and he’s doing a wonderful job,” Blanchfield said.
“He’s (a) very strong athlete and he’s a great team member.”
Rohan Shillito – Three seat
“Another Year 12 rower, he’s done a fantastic job this season stepping up, he was in bow seat in the senior boys’ four last year and moved into three seat,” Blanchfield said.
“His attention to detail and his attendance at training can’t be faulted.”
Cooper Reid – Stroke
“Cooper Reid is an incredibly enthusiastic young rower, he’s in Year 12 this year and he’s stepped into stroke seat recently,” Blanchfield said.
“He’s done a fantastic job at inspiring and supporting his fellow crew members when they were in a rough spot earlier this year and as male rowing captain he’s done a fantastic job at inspiring the entire squad.”
Girls Crew
Paris Govan – Cox
“Paris Govan is a rower turned cox this season, she’s done a fantastic job coxing the girls first four,” Blanchfield said.
“The way Paris works with her coach Brad in mentoring all of the girls has been wonderful and her attention to detail and the direction she gives the crew has been fantastic.”
Tara Orchard – Bow
“She’s got a great attitude towards training, her experience in last year’s Year 10 firsts quad is paying off here,” Blanchfield said.
‘She’s very wise … when they’re in a hard place, she’s the one who has helped them get themselves up and going again and get on top of it and do all the hard work that’s required.”
Sam Crilly – Two seat
“Sam is actually a Year 10 student … and has proven to be a fantastic asset to the senior program,” Blanchfield said.
“Just getting better and better every session and again, her positive attitude and positive outlook on training and rowing has just led to her being selected in the first four.”
Daisy Simpson-Kerr – Three seat
“She’s the sole Year 12 girl rower that we have at Damascus this season. She had a successful season last year representing Victoria as well,” Blanchfield said.
“She’s come back and she’s the rock in the senior girl’s four, she’s the one providing the mentoring to the younger girls around her and she’s very supportive of everyone else in the crew.”
Charley Gartlan – Stroke
“Charlie’s come up from our Year 10 firsts last season, she was stroking the Year 10 firsts quad,” Blanchfield said.
“This season she’s proven to be a very important team member, she’s provided a lot of leadership and support to the other girls … and she’s proven to be a really strong stroke seat rower.”
‘Larger giants have fallen’: St Patrick’s look to take down HOTL fancies
While conceding that Ballarat Clarendon College is the crew to beat at this year’s boys’ Head of the Lake, St Patrick’s College first crew coach David O’Doherty says “larger giants have fallen”.
Taking charge of the top boat for the first time, O’Doherty is aiming to steer St Patrick’s to its first Head of the Lake crown since 2018, however the Clarendon crew is set to take some beating come February 26 on Lake Wendouree.
“We did some good times at the Barwon (Regatta), the only issue is that (Clarendon) College are doing better times,” he said.
“They’re the crew to beat. Last regatta was Head of Schoolboys, we didn’t have a great row and College put in a pretty big margin.
“Today (Wednesday) is actually the last hard day of training and then we’re into our taper, so we’ll bring the load right back and hopefully the boys freshen up.
“Then on the day we can pull a very large rabbit out of a very small hat.”
Stroke William Hexter and cox Isaac Martin return to the crew from last year, where St Patrick’s finished second to Ballarat Grammar.
O’Doherty said the crew needed “absolute confidence” in itself despite having not led Clarendon at any point this season.
“Larger giants have fallen, you only have to get it right on the day,” he said.
“The thing is, for a crew that’s never been led, if we’re there into that third (500 metres), anything can happen.
“It’s having that kind of absolute confidence in yourselves despite the fact that you haven’t led your opposition before.”
While not focusing on Clarendon come race day, St Patrick’s have had a clear race plan all season that it hopes could bring success come Head of the Lake.
“Our focus all season’s been no fade between the first and the second (500 metres),” O’Doherty said.
“Being a bit conservative out of the blocks, hitting our rhythm early and then just trying to hold an aggressive rhythm all the way down the track.
“I don’t think we’ll change it, we won’t chase College per say, but probably approaching the race with a much more internal mindset that if we can pull off our perfect race, then we should be hard to beat.”
The boys’ premiership could be heading St Patrick’s way, with the rest of the boast shed putting in good performances across the season thus far.
“The Year 10s are doing really well, at Head of Schoolboys they had a clean sweep, so all five divisions got a gold,” O’Doherty said.
“The lower end of seniors are doing well, threes and fours are pretty competitive.
“Year 9 ones had a win at Head of Schoolboys, div two came second but beat all the local opposition.
“Irrespective of what happens in the top division, we’re looking good for the premiership.”
Isaac Martin – Cox
“He coxed the crew last year, he’s a Year 12,” O’Doherty said.
“Pretty good cox, steers straight, knows how to yell and a very reliable fellow.”
James Halsall – Bow
“Year 12, rowed in the twos last year and was pretty keen to get into the crew this year,” O’Doherty said.
“He’s stepped up a bit.”
Paddy O’Brien – Two seat
“He was in my crew last year, the (Year) 10 ones,” O’Doherty said.
“He joined up at (Ballarat) City, did some sculling over the winter and just kind of kept up his training through winter and slotted into the crew pretty nicely.”
Nedd Bennett – Three seat
“The pocket rocket, he’s light enough to race lightweight … but he is the type of guy that will row until he drops,” O’Doherty said.
“You never have to be worried about if Nedd’s giving it his effort, he’s always there.”
William Hexter – Stroke
“He was in the crew last year and stroked the youth Vic eight last season,” O’Doherty said.
“He’s a bit of a diesel engine, once he gets up and going, he doesn’t stop, which is good.”
Loreto College ‘focusing internally’ as it eyes HOTL glory
A renewed focus on their own boat has Loreto College’s first crew primed for an attack on this year’s Head of the Lake.
The division one crew’s coach, Stefanie Seeary, says schoolgirl rowing in Ballarat “is really tough competition”, however is confident her crew can challenge come February 26 on Lake Wendouree.
“They’re a really strong crew, I think as a whole, our senior squad is probably one of, if not the strongest squad we’ve ever had,” she said.
“Form-wise, I think at the moment, schoolgirl rowing in Ballarat is really tough competition.
“You’ve got (Ballarat) Clarendon who are obviously the dominant schoolgirl four within Victoria and the country at the moment and they seem to be continuing that reign.
“We’ve also got (Ballarat) Grammar who are somewhat unknown, but of what we’ve seen of them, are really, really strong.
“We’re really, really proud of our four and I think they can absolutely do anything on the day, but we do know that there is some tough competition out there this year.”
Stroke Tahlia Whittle is the sole member of this year’s crew returning from the 2022 division one boat, which finished third behind Clarendon (first) and Grammar (second).
Seeary said the crew has gone with a new approach during this season.
“I think we’ve taken a somewhat different approach this year and we really are focusing internally,” she said.
“We can’t change what’s going on in anyone else’s boat, but what we can focus on is what we do within our boat and how we can improve ourselves to be the best crew and the most competitive crew on the day.”
Seeary concedes Head of the Lake will be “a tough race”, but is confident Loreto can compete.
“I think everyone’s in with a chance, the beauty and somewhat the nerve-racking part of Head of the Lake is that it’s one race,” she said.
“You have a couple of dirty strokes, one thing goes wrong and it really can blow open the field.
“Our crew is absolutely strong enough to do it on the day if all things go well, but it will be a tough race for all crews on that water come that Sunday.”
Lily Davis – Cox
“Lily is a delightfully level-headed, eager to learn and adjust cox and has fitted in very well with this crew,” Seeary said.
“Always taking on feedback and a lovely little leader to have in the boat.”
Sarah Augustine – Bow
“Sarah rowed division two last year … and is just a real, for want of a better word, workhorse in our boat,” Seeary said.
“She just gets in, does the work and does it to the best of her ability.”
Bridgette O’Brien – Two seat
“Bridgette O’Brien’s our youngest member, she’s in Year 11 … and she has slotted into her role in division one beautifully,” Seeary said.
“She’s a very quiet achiever, but she just gets in, does the work and gives it 100 per cent.”
Gemma Phillips – Three seat
“She is our vice-captain of boats and is in Year 12,” Seeary said.
“She’s come up from kind of middle of the squad last year and has really worked hard over summer and proved herself to be sitting in the division one boat this year.”
Tahlia Whittle – Stroke
“Tahlia’s returning to the crew after rowing division one last year,” Seeary said.
“(She) is very tenacious and gives it everything she’s got every time she’s in the boat.”
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