Ban on crowds announced for 2021 Head of the Schoolgirls regatta

A controversial decision to ban crowds from attending one Victoria’s most prestigious rowing regattas — just days after 1000 spectators attended another event — is set to cost Geelong’s tourism economy millions.

Geelong Grammar on their way to winning the Female School Eight Open Division 2 at the Head of the Schoolgirls' Regatta 2019 on the Barwon River in Geelong. Picture: Stephen Harman

An event worth $2.3 million to Geelong’s tourism economy will run without spectators for the first time in its 37-year history.

Rowing Victoria chief executive officer Ian Jickell confirmed spectators would not be able to attend the prestigious Head of the Schoolgirls’ rowing regatta, despite all other rowing events being able to host crowds.

More than 1000 spectators gathered in Geelong last weekend to watch 1200 girls compete

at the 2021 RV Junior Girls State Championship.

Mr Jickell said the decision to ban crowds from the Head of the Schools on March 11-14 was made by the event’s organising committee and not by Rowing Victoria.

“The Head of the Schoolgirls’ is organised by a committee and they have decided for the benefit of the students that they would like to run event without spectators,’ Mr Jickell said

He said the decision was not supported by Rowing Victoria.

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

Mr Jickell said the event was the pinnacle of the school rowing calendar and previously attracted crowds of up to 6500 per day.

The City of Greater Geelong fought to retain the prestigious event in 2019 by striking a deal to host the regatta until 2024.

It has been held at the Barwon River since 1987 and injects around $2.3 million into the economy each year.

City of Greater Geelong Brownbill ward Councillor Eddy Kontelj said the move showed the impact the coronavirus pandemic was continuing to have on the city.

“I can totally appreciate and respect the decisions of the Heads of the Schoolgirls’ committee who were acting with the best intent, but of course it is disappointing,” Cr Kontelj said.

“It is another example of the significant impact that COVID-19 has had not only on our community, but the rest of the world.”

A statement posted to Rowing Victoria’s website said the committee believed not allowing spectators would ensure the event could be conducted in a safe manner.

“This allows the athlete zone to include the grassed area covering the final 200m of the course, providing students with the opportunity to view racing and support their peers,” the statement said.

“We appreciate there will be disappointment within our rowing community, however, the Head of the Schoolgirls’ Regatta has been built on the foundations of providing a fair and inclusive experience for those who participate, and we believe this decision remains true to that.”

Mr Jickell said the event was only rowing regatta that was run by an independent committee.

Rowing Victoria intends to allow crowds at all rowing events unless otherwise directed by the Department of Health.

“We feel for the families, for the parents and we understand that the parents and families make a number of sacrifices for the girls to participate in rowing,” Mr Jickell said.

“We can understand their disappointment.”

The event will be livestreamed online.

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Originally published as Ban on crowds announced for 2021 Head of the Schoolgirls regatta