Otago University Rowing Club Secures $15,000 for New Racing Boat

The Otago University Rowing Club has received a significant boost with a grant of $15,000 from the New Zealand Community Trust. This funding will support the club’s purchase of a high-quality carbon-fibre racing shell, which is expected to enhance the club’s competitive edge in the coming years. The total cost of the new boat is $75,000, and the club has successfully raised the necessary funds to proceed with the order.

The new racing boat will serve as a primary racing craft for approximately 20 years and can be utilized for an additional 10 years as a training vessel for beginners. Club manager Glen Sinclair expressed gratitude for the trust’s support, noting that acquiring a new rowing boat represents a significant financial challenge for a student-run organization.

Recent Competitions and Upcoming Events

As the club awaits the construction of the new boat—which will take about eight weeks—its athletes are actively competing in three university regattas in China. Recently, the development women’s team participated in the Shenyang International Open, achieving commendable results.

“The crew secured first and third places in the women’s open quads and finished second in the mixed eight 1000m event, as there was no women’s only eights available,” Sinclair reported. The team narrowly missed first place in the 4.5km mixed eight, finishing just 1.4 seconds behind the Malaysian team.

The club’s men’s senior eight team is scheduled to compete this weekend in the Nanjing International Universities Rowing Open, while the men’s development eight squad will race at the Chengdu Open Regatta on October 1 and 2, 2023.

Honoring a Distinguished Alumnus

In recognition of his contributions, the new boat will be named after Sir Murray Brennan, an esteemed alumnus and world-renowned surgeon who has consistently supported both the university and the rowing club. Sir Murray is expected to visit the club later this month to engage with the rowing athletes benefiting from the scholarships he has provided.

This collaboration between the Otago University Rowing Club and the New Zealand Community Trust highlights the importance of community support in fostering athletic talent and enhancing competitive opportunities for students.