Young Hamilton Boys’ standouts looking to win silverware at Maadi

Rowing heavyweights Hamilton Boys’ High School are heading into Maadi with momentum after a haul of 11 golds in the North Island champs.

Rowing director Glenn Ross is sure his crew are ready to make an impact.

The school is sending a team of 75 to the Aon Maadi Cup with no under 18 rowers this year. However, Ross said the under 17 and 16 rowers are competing “pretty well” at the under 18 level.

Ross said the reason for no under 18 rowers is that two years ago, the school’s rugby programme organised a trip to the UK around the time of Maadi.

“They took half a dozen of our under 16s away from the programme and that age group never recovered, as we didn’t have any under 16s that year, no under 17s last year, and no under 18s this year. “

Two of stand-out rowers are under 16s Luke Taylor and William Thompson who are competing in the under 16 doubles and under 16 fours.

Last year they won five under 15 titles and will look to generate similar success this time around.

Both boys will also be racing with the under 17 eight crew who will compete in the under 18 eight race for the Maadi Cup.

As good a prize the Maadi Cup is, Ross also wants to win the Star Trophy for the best overall school

“The Star trophy is a reflection of all our crews. To me that is a sought after prize to try and achieve.”

He sees the biggest competition coming from Westlake Boys’ High, Sacred Heart College and St Kentigern College from the North Island, with the likes of St Andrews College and Christ’s College contenders from the South.

“We won’t be taking anything for granted,” Ross said. “I don’t go in with any expectations, all I know is that the boys will be in position to give it their very best.”

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