Shock as Haileybury College axes rowing program without warning

Leading private school Haileybury College has suddenly cancelled its rowing program, leaving staff out of work and more than a hundred students devastated.

Haileybury College has suddenly axed its rowing program with no warning.

The rowing program at a leading private school has been suddenly cancelled, leaving staff out of work and more than a hundred students devastated.

Haileybury wrote to parents on Wednesday to advise them its rowing program would finish up at the end of 2025, citing a “significant and steady decline in student participation and interest in the sport”.

A source told the Herald Sun parents at the school are “revolting” against the decision.

“There are protests, petitions, and Olympians and world champions calling the school,” they said.

Vice principal Scott Doran said the school decided to phase out the program after “a great deal of consideration”.

“We fully understand that the outcome may disappoint some students, families and members of the Haileybury community who have gained so much enjoyment and fulfilment from the Rowing program,” his letter said.

Haileybury wrote to parents on Wednesday to advise them its rowing program would finish up at the end of 2025.

A source close to the school said the numbers were on an “upward trajectory”.

“The only year level affected was year nine in 2021 when there were only around 15 rowers – half of which are still there,” they said.

“Parents are disputing the notion that the numbers were too low. Payroll tax may be an issue and programs like this are expensive and an easy target.”

The source said the school could try and recoup money from parents via a family levy on rowers, which is a strategy adopted at other private schools.

Despite paying $30,000 or more in fees, parents at Loreto Toorak and Shelford Girls’ Grammar pay more than $2500 for rowing.

The source said other factors affecting rowing programs included “child safety issues and a higher duty of care and the wages paid to staff under a general award”.

“The school did not try and even find a viable way forward,” they said.

The comments come as the Herald Sun revealed earlier this year a Loreto Toorak coach, ex-Olympian James Rook, was investigated after reports of inappropriate behaviour.

Rowing remains an elite sport offered only offered by a small number of high-fee private schools and a handful of public schools with river access such as Melbourne Girls’ College.

This is primarily because of the price of equipment, with boats costing anywhere from $60,000 to $120,000 for an eight-seater.

Hundreds of students have been left devastated by the decision to axe the rowing program.

Rowing parents are also urged to give generously to fund the rowing programs, with schools using the Australian Sports Foundation to make generous tax-deductable donations.

The oldest schools also have well-established, and highly prestigious rowing parent groups or foundations.

This includes the Pennefather Club at Caulfield Grammar, the WH Pincott Club at Geelong Grammar (which dates back to 1874), the Cardinal Club at Scotch, and the Heyington Club at St Catherine’s School.

The fundraising capability at the top schools is legendary, and at Scotch there’s rumoured to be a three-year waiting list to donate funds giving boat naming rights.

At Xavier there is a goal to raise $65,000 for 2022/2023, with $8242 raised so far. Last year a goal of raising $30,000 was reached.

St Catherine’s School recently aimed to raise $400,000 in 24 hours towards their new sports centre. Rowing parents at the school are particularly generous, including author Kirsty Manning-Wilcox who gave $5000, the Bongiorno family who gave $10,000 and the Demetriou family who gave $12,000.