Demands of elite school rowing programs pushing students to breaking point

Students are being pushed to their physical and mental limits in school rowing programs, with parents lifting the lid on the “win at all costs” culture following the shock death of 17-year-old rower Edward Millear.

Parents have sounded the alarm on Melbourne Grammar School’s rowing program, saying the gruelling training sessions and “win at all costs” mentality is leaving students physically exhausted and mentally overwhelmed.

The comments come in the week following the death of fellow Melbourne Grammar rower Edward Millear, 17, who collapsed while on a stationary rower, or erg machine, during training at the school’s boat shed.

None of the parents interviewed believe the school or his coaches are responsible for Ed’s death, but agreed it had started a conversation among them around the sports culture and what it costs their children.

Melbourne Grammar School student, Ed Millear, died after collapsing at rowing training. Picture: Supplied

The parent of a Melbourne Grammar rower told the Herald Sun how their child battled injury and the gruelling training schedule while both mentally and physically deteriorating in front of their eyes.

Both the parent and son approached the school about the toll the program was taking on him, but no reprieve was offered.

“He expressed concerns to the coaching staff and the school that his grades were suffering because of his exhaustion levels,” they said.

“He raised his concerns, saying he wanted a break, needed a break, and the coaches said ‘bad luck, if you want to be in the crew you have got to turn up’.

“He was falling behind in his work, because of rowing and the commitment to rowing and that in turn, was affecting his mental health.

“This is a kid who smiled and got through everything and all of a sudden he is crying to himself and suffering severe depression and not coping at all.”

Melbourne Grammar School when approached said: “The health and welfare of our students is always our highest priority.”

“We take great steps to provide a culture in which every student feels heard, respected and supported.”

Students at Melbourne Grammar are mourning the loss of Ed Millear. Picture: Tony Gough

The Herald Sun was shown emails the parent sent to the school about their child’s welfare and a response received that mentioned better lines of communication and approachability.

“None of this happened,” the parent said.

A brutal schedule, coupled with intense training sessions, is asking too much of the students who are trained by elite coaches, like elite athletes, the parent added.

“They have one kid on an erg machine and everyone around him cheering him on,” they said.

“My son has come home and said he has been throwing up, and he, or someone else, has passed out after doing an erg, and I know they consider that normal.”

There were also reports of bullying from the coaches, rowers being singled out and screamed at in front of their teammates.

All of this had led some parents to withdraw their kids from the program.

“There are a lot of mad parents, very upset parents because the school’s not allowing any concessions here or compromises,” they said.

“Parents end up just pulling their kids out. I know a number of parents and kids who did that last year.”

A parent from another prominent school told a similar story of rowers at her child’s school being screamed at and pushed to their limits on the erg machine.

The parent said a lot of pressure is put on them to get high scores for their “2K ergs”, which is the time it takes for students to row two kilometres - a baseline test for rowers.

“Kids are all being cheered on while they do their 2K and they are pushed until they vomit”

While a third parent whose daughter rowed at Wesley College said their child was “pitted against other girls to make the first rowing team and was often in tears and physical distress”.

“She was sworn at by coaches and disregarded once they believed she was of no value to the program,” she told the Herald Sun.

Rowing programs often entail gruelling training sessions. Picture: Mark Wilson

A current high school rowing coach told the Herald Sun it would be difficult to change rowing’s culture across Melbourne schools.

“The standard is so high that no school is going to lessen the training because they all want to stay on top”.

The parent of the MGS student said the death of Ed – which they weren’t blaming on the school or the coaches – had started a conversation among the parents about that culture and what it costs their children

“You’ve got your parents on one side sitting there saying ‘these kids know what they’re getting into’,” the parent said.

“And you’ve got parents on the other side who just say that we are at a school level and these kids are being pushed beyond their limit.”

“Favouritism and nepotism” were another problem plaguing the sport, one of the parents said.

“You can’t compete with parents who buy $80,000 boats and have an expectation their children will receive a First spot”.

Many of the larger rowing schools such as St Catherine’s and Geelong Grammar have dedicated fundraising arms, where parents give as much as $50,000 in tax-deductible donations.

Others compete for the naming rights for boats, which can cost as much as $80,000.

At St Catherine’s School it’s understood key figures in the rowing fundraising body, Heyington Club, have been pushing for more transparency in the selection of teams, among other concerns.