J B Sharp Series Report 2016 Series The 92 nd JB Sharp Memorial Regatta Series was once again a wonderful success and a fine example of both the development of new rowers and scullers in NSW. We are, as ever, indebted to the valuable support and strong relationship with our sponsors, BMG Aviation, Specialist Insurance Brokers, whose steadfast commitment to our series has helped it to encourage and foster new rowers from all backgrounds. This support sees benefits to the rowers, the clubs, supporters, as well as to the volunteers, officials and to the entire committee. The opening regatta of the series seems now firmly fixed at the Blackwattle Bay regatta course, hosted by Glebe R.C., with the staging requirements becoming easier each year. It has also been pleasing to see increased numbers from the local schools, and the Sydney University development squad, together with an increased level of participation by the traditional clubs at this regatta. Sadly however, the regatta has seen a drop in the numbers of female competitors across some of the larger boats, with the Women s Open coxed four cancelled and the Open quad won in a row-over. The novice singles and quads, under 16 sculls, and intermediate doubles however were very well attended across the women s events, meaning that overall competitor numbers were still healthy. The UTS Haberfield regatta saw an increased number of competitors take to the water, with the supporters, volunteers and officials again taking advantage of the UTS Haberfield Rowing Club s wonderful facilities. This year saw something of a milestone for the series, with the first ever para-rowing event (the inclusive para-double sculls event) included on the regatta program. The race included crews from both Balmain and Penrith Rowing Clubs, both of whom have been strong supporters of para-rowing in recent years. Consistently with the organisation s commitment to growing rowing, we hope to see this category continue to grow in the coming years. It was also pleasing to see a substantial increase in the number of women s big-boat crews racing in this regatta, with equal numbers of men s and women s eights, and twenty under-16 female scullers (compared to only 9 male scullers) competing in this regatta. The series will continue to encourage the development of both ends of the sport, with a view to parity of crews across age and gender. Also in evidence at the Drummoyne Rowing Club regatta was the substantial number of scullers competing in the handicap single scull for the Walker and Hall Chalice, requiring three divisions to be raced. Older scullers may remember the organised chaos of thirty or more scullers racing down a six-lane course, but it is just as impressive to see three divisions of full-fields of scullers sprinting across the bay in sequence! Towards the end of the season, on an extremely brisk morning, the Balmain Regatta returned to the traditional BRC rowing course, and saw again very competitive racing across both large and small boats, albeit with some drop in numbers of junior rowers owing to the school holidays. In the para event it was pleasing to see three crews compete, although it will be even more encouraging in years to come as more clubs enter this new event. Once again in the competition for the Walker and Hall, three divisions of 9 scullers battled bravely to take pole position in the final regatta, while an increasingly exciting finish to the series was set up between Sydney Rowing Club and Glebe in the Men s Open Eight. One concern related to ensuring that crews returning from racing avoided crossing the course while other races were proceeding, as there were both near misses and one unfortunate collision between a racing crew and a returning crew from the same club. At the final regatta hosted by Leichhardt Rowing Club, a thrilling three-way tie in the Handicap Sculls saw Victoria Trevitt of Nepean defeat sisters Alyssa and Brianna Dwight of Tara School for the season title, while Sydney Rowing Club similarly held off a late charge from Glebe Rowing Club to take out the overall point-score for the JB Sharp Memorial Cup. Once again, we recognise the efforts of the Rowing NSW Regatta Secretary, Owen Nix, for his role in not just recording and publishing the results of the regattas, but for his time and investigative skill in tracking down the
correct rowers in the winning crews at each regatta a job made all the more difficult by clubs not sending their crews out with bow numbers, or in improper uniform. We are also greatly indebted to Barbara Ramjan, our trophy-wrangler and restorer, who has presented the series with a magnificently restored Kayser Shield, presented this year to Leichhardt Rowing Club. The series is undertaking restoration of each of its perpetual trophies, shields and trays in advance of the Centenary of the Series in 2024. Special thanks must also be given to BMG Aviation, whose continuing support of the series allowed the association to purchase a well-needed Takacat inflatable safety craft, which was used at each regatta to ensure the safety of all competitors, novice to open, u16, para, men and women. It is also worth mentioning that this year saw some difficult queries raised by competitor clubs regarding the interpretation of the rules of the series although the spirit of the rules has and will continue to serve the series for years to come, changes to the laws of boat racing of Rowing NSW have caused some degree of confusion between, for example, the implementation of the rules of the Series and the categories of rowers (ie Novice, Intermediate, and Open), with the Rowing NSW rules and a rower s grade score (A, B, C or D). However, for the greatest part, the 2016 series was well attended, well-managed by the host clubs, and very successful in the spirit and standard of racing exhibited during the series. Without wishing to jinx next year s racing, the weather was again marvellous for each regatta, with no cancellations of events due to wind throughout the series. Thanks finally to the wonderful volunteers, boat race officials, and the dedicated JB Sharp Committee and officebearers, without whom this series would not take place in particular to Terry Maher and Barry Moynahan OAM for their tireless work both prior to and during the course of the series. It is wonderful to have such a committed and experienced committee who do well to liaise both with the clubs and Rowing NW, but also to guide the series in the pursuit of its goals. Following the Leichhardt Regatta, the winning clubs and crew were presented with their silverware, by John Sharp and his son Alexander, and by Damian Hooper on behalf of BMG Aviation. The J.B. Sharp Memorial Cup overall point score Sydney 205; Glebe 140; Leichhardt 110. Pictured Kurtis Aroney of Sydney Rowing Club (left), pictured with John Sharp, Patron of the JB Sharp Regatta Series and great-grandson of JB Sharp.
The Walker & Hall Chalice Handicap Scull point Score Victoria Trevitt (Nepean) 22; Alyssa Dwight (Tara) 22; Brianna Dwight (Tara) 22; Victoria won in a row off against Alyssa and Brianna. Pictured Damian Hooper, Victoria Trevitt and John Sharp. The Sid Sharp Silver Tray men s novice & U16 point score Sydney 68, Balmain 42, Drummoyne 20. Sydney Rowing Club receives the Sid Sharp Tray from Stephen Donnelly, President, Rowing NSW The Kayser Shield Women s Open & Intermediate point score Leichhardt 35, Sydney 26, Nepean 22. Leichhardt Rowing Club accepts the newly restored Kayser Shield from John Sharp, great-grandson of the late J.B. Sharp
The Glebe Centenary Shield men s open & intermediate point score Glebe 63, Sydney 51, Drummoyne 39. Mark Tietjen of Glebe Rowing Club with Series Chairman Terry Maher The Kevyn Webb OAM Cup men s novice scull point score Sydney 34, Balmain 30, Glebe 12. Stephen Donnelly, President of Rowing NSW, presenting the Kevyn Webb OAM Cup to Sydney Rowing Club The John Sharp Vase women s Novice and Under 16 point score Sydney University 53, Nepean 46, Leichhardt 42. Sydney University Boat Club receiving the John Sharp Vase from Alexander Sharp, great-great grandson of the late J.B. Sharp and son of John Sharp.
The Lea Insurance Brokers Trophy women s Novice Scull point score Glebe 22, Sydney University 22, University of New South Wales 22. Mark Tietjen of Glebe Rowing Club accepting the LEA Insurance Brokers Trophy The Combined Men s & Women s Under 16 Scull $ 500 BMG Aviation prize was awarded to Nepean Rowing Club on 64 points, defeating Sydney on 54 and Sydney University on 42. John Sharp, great grandson of the late J.B. Sharp, with Victoria Trevitt of Nepean Rowing Club BEGINNER OF THE SERIES MEDALLIONS were presented to Sara McDonald (Sydney Rowing Club) and Marco Cirjak (Balmain Rowing Club). Sara McDonald from Sydney Rowing Club accepting the Medallion from Keith Jamieson, Sydney Rowing Club. Not Pictured, Marco Cirjak (Balmain Rowing Club)
BMG AVIATION SCHOLARSHIPS Two BMG AVIATION scholarships of $ 1,000 each were awarded to 2 young aspiring champions. The BMG AVIATION Scholarship recipients for 2015 were Tim Trent (Sydney Rowing Club) and Victoria Trevitt (Nepean Rowing Club). Congratulations! From Left to Right: Damian Hooper, Tim Trent (Sydney Rowing Club), Barbara Ramjan and John Sharp From Left to Right: Greg Smith, Victoria Trevitt, and John Sharp On behalf of the Sharp family and the Committee I would like to thank the many competitors; the Boat Race Officials; Rowing NSW and BMG Aviation for their support and contribution to another successful series. Liam James Convener 2016-92 nd J.B. Sharp Memorial Regatta Series