ROWING BACKFLIP
REGATTA WIN: Crowds allowed at Barwon River
SPECTATORS will now be able to watch the Head of the Schoolgirls regatta from the banks of the Barwon River after a ban backflip.
The crowd ban by rowing officials enraged parents and loomed as a big blow to the Geelong economy. But 1800 spectators will now be allowed on the river bank.
ROWING mums and dads will be able to watch their girls in the annual Head of the Schoolgirls’ Regatta, in Geelong, after a spectator ban backflip.
The HOSG committee met on Tuesday night to review the ban — implemented due to social distancing fears — placed on the three-day event at Barwon River from March 12.
The ban enraged parents, sending messaging groups into overdrive with many threatening to ignore the directive and turn up and watch their girls row from the river’s south bank. Under the revised plan, there will now be 1800 spectators on the south bank.
Ticket details and the possibility of time allocated sessions are still being worked out.
There are 2106 athletes competing over the three days, culminating with the finals on Sunday. They will remain on the north bank.
The parents were furious with the move, as some spend up to $4000 for their child to participate, and they drive their kids to 6am training for months in the lead up.
The HOSG committee did not respond to questions, but Rowing Victoria confirmed the change of mind, with chief executive Ian Jickell saying it was welcome.
“We are very happy that we are able to host a number of parents over the weekend for the Head of the Schoolgirls’ Regatta and we will ensure that the regatta is run safely and fairly and the experience of each schoolgirl is prioritised,” he said.
While Rowing Victoria took the heat, the decision was made by the HOSG committee.
The operation of the committee is closely guarded and is made up of rowing directors and principal reps from top rowing schools such as MLC, Melbourne Girls’ Grammar School, Geelong Grammar, Loreto Mandeville, St Catherine’s and Genazzano.
There are more than 30 schools in the competition from Melbourne, Ballarat and Geelong. Most are private schools, but Melbourne Girls’ College is among the non-private schools.
Parents unhappy with the ban could not contact the committee.
The HOSG Facebook page hasn’t been updated for a year and angry parents instead shared their discontent on the Rowing Victoria page.
A number even complained to Sports Minister Martin Pakula.
The government confirmed on Tuesday that an application for a permit under the public events framework had been lodged.
Rowing insiders said the HOSG poorly communicated information to parents.
“Ultimately, having missed out on the regatta and so much for the past year, the main thing is for competitors to compete,” an insider said.
There were concerns over the lack of social distancing at earlier rowing events with schools facing fines of $99,000.
“Parents don’t realise that one or two doing the wrong thing (and) this could work out very expensive.”
The HOSG injects more than $2m into the Geelong region and is financially supported by the city.