Head of the Schoolgirls (Victoria)

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Head of the Schoolgirls
StatusActive
FrequencyAnnually
VenueBarwon River
Location(s)Geelong
Coordinates38°09′51″S 144°20′36″E / 38.164053°S 144.343237°E / -38.164053; 144.343237
CountryAustralia
Inaugurated1985
Most recent20 March 2022 (2022-03-20)

The Victorian Head of the Schoolgirls regatta is contested between girls at schools from all across the state of Victoria Australia. Schools from the Girls Sport Victoria (GSV) and also Associated Public Schools of Victoria (APS), as well as smaller school rowing groups which enter under a rowing club banner, compete in a range of events over 1000m for the Year 9 and Year 10 events or 1500m for the Open events (typically girls in years 11 and 12).

Whereas in most rowing, coxswains can be of either sex, in the HOSG all coxswains must be female and attend the same school as the rowers of the crew that they are coxing.

The racing is usually held over an entire weekend (Friday, Saturday & Sunday) in mid-March on the Barwon River in Geelong. In 2022 the regatta was held on the third weekend of March, with all event heats on Friday the 18th, all repechages, all quarter-finals (for events with over 16 entries) and most semi-finals (for events with 16 entries or less) on Saturday the 19th and remaining semi-finals (for events with over 16 entries) and all finals on Sunday the 20th.

Head of the Schoolgirls is the largest single sex regatta in the southern hemisphere, with races starting every 3 minutes over the 3 days. In 2021, over 2100 girls participated in 51 events. In order to keep the regatta within a reasonable time frame and prevent large schools inundating the divisions of the smaller boats (eg. single sculls), girls are only permitted to race in one event over the weekend.

History[edit]

The first girl to row within the A.P.S. was a lone sculler from Geelong Grammar in 1972. There were 32 girls rowing by 1975, and in 1981, girls began competing at the Senior Regatta with Geelong Grammar, Geelong College, Melbourne Girls Grammar, Morongo Girls' College and Lauriston racing in 1st and 2nd Fours over 800m. Methodist Ladies' College, and Carey joined in 1982, with Carey boating a First Four in 1983.

1984 was the final year that non APS school girls participated in the APS Head of the River, with seven girls' crews rowing in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Four events. The following year saw the regatta revert to an all APS event, with only Geelong Grammar and Geelong College boating a First Four. Carey reappeared in the First Fours in 1986, the same year that Wesley joined, and with Caulfield joining in 1987, all five co-educational schools were boating a first four over 1500m. Around this time, the Principal of the Morongo Girls' College initiated a meeting that established the Head of School Girls' Regatta (HOSG).

1984[edit]

Last year of schoolgirl participation in APS Head of the River. Principal of Morongo initiates meeting that establishes the HOSG Regatta.

1985[edit]

MLC host first HOSG in Ballarat - The Regatta consisted of Heats and Finals for 7 events in which 16 schools and 240 girls competed during a single day. There is no record of the number of spectators who attended. A strong cross wind at Ballarat made conditions very interesting for crews and officials.

1986[edit]

Ballarat Grammar and local schools host HOSG - 9 events.

1987[edit]

Wesley College host HOSG in Geelong - 9 events

1988[edit]

Lauriston host HOSG - 12 events

1989[edit]

Loreto Mandeville Hall host HOSG - 13 events

1990[edit]

MLC host HOSG - 14 events including Eights for first time

1991[edit]

MGGS host HOSG - 14 events. HOSG Regatta Committee incorporates as an Association.

1992[edit]

Morongo host HOSG - 18 events. For the first time, the regatta is held over 2 days.

1993[edit]

Genazzano host HOSG - 22 events including Quad Sculls for first time. Timing system introduced.

1994[edit]

St Catherine's host HOSG - 24 events.

1995[edit]

Lauriston host HOSG - 26 events.

1996[edit]

Carey Grammar host HOSG - 27 events, 38 schools and 1275 competitors

1997[edit]

Loreto Mandeville Hall host HOSG - 28 events. Active For Life becomes Sponsor of HOSG Regatta.

1998[edit]

Sacred Heart College host HOSG - 31 events.

1999[edit]

Firbank host HOSG - 34 events.

2000[edit]

MLC host HOSG - 34 events, 41 schools and 1474 competitors. Sykes Racing becomes naming rights sponsor of HOSG Regatta.

2001[edit]

Melbourne Girls Grammar again host the regatta - 34 Events. Professional Event Managers, SSDF, appointed by the host school. City of Greater Geelong provides support for temporary infrastructure costs at this Major Event.

2002[edit]

The Committee hosts the regatta, replacing the Host School arrangement. SSDF is again the Event Manager, with the Geelong Rowing Association assuming a significant support role. a Long term agreement is entered into between Head of the Schoolgirls Regatta Committee, the City of Greater Geelong, and the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority to maintain the regatta at Geelong.

2005[edit]

The 371 crews with their associated 2009 athletes came from 41 Victorian schools. Entries varied from a lone sculler and coach to 195 participants from a large girls' school. There were 28 fastest times recorded during the two days racing. For the first time Rowing Victoria carried out the dual role of providing the officials and being the Event Manager.

2007[edit]

On the realigned Barwon River course the increased use of repechage for 1500m crews was a great success and the new Judges' Box proved its worth . There was a noticeable increase in single scull entries.

2008[edit]

New Events to the program were the senior third eight.

2009[edit]

New Events to the program were the year 9 and 10 division five quad sculls.

2013[edit]

New Events to the program were the year 9 and 10 division six quad sculls.

2014[edit]

New Events to the program were the year 9 and 10 division seven quad sculls. This year was also the last year the regatta was held purely on the Saturday and Sunday.

2015[edit]

Changes to the regatta format included moving the Open (Years 11 & 12) event heats to Friday afternoon

2016[edit]

Changes to the regatta format included the introduction of exhaustive finals for Open events.

2017[edit]

New Events to the program were the Open Double Scull and Year 9 division eight quad scull. Changes to the regatta format included the introduction of exhaustive finals for Year 10 events.

2018[edit]

According to the 2018 HOSG regatta Bulletin, the regatta format was updated to provide for exhaustive finals for all crews, at all year levels.[1] If necessary, the addition of a fifth round of racing (heats-repechages-qtr finals-semis-finals) was added to the program to a number of events with more than 16 competitors. The open 8 division 4 was also added to the program for the first time. Unfortunately due to extremely windy conditions, the finals day of racing on Sunday was largely cancelled. No A Final races were rowed in the 2018 edition, with all racing being cancelled after just five year 9 Coxed Quad scull minor finals had been held. The HOSG committee subsequently provided a specially minted a special 2018 A Finalist Medal for all members of crews who achieved that position.

2019[edit]

The 2019 edition of the HOSG regatta was the first to hold the exhaustive finals for all divisions and all boat classes of all year levels. There were 473 races over three days including 151 races on the Sunday, finals day. Over 2100 athletes competed, in 48 events, making it one of the largest HOSG entry fields.[2]

2020[edit]

New Events to the program were the Year 10 division 1 eight and Year 10 Double Scull. The regatta was cancelled following the end of racing on Friday 13 March 2020 due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

2021[edit]

New Events to the program were the Year 9 division 9 coxed quad scull. Changes were made to the regatta format due to the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic such as limiting spectator numbers to 1,800 people and restricting access to the North Bank to athletes, coaches and school staff only.

2022[edit]

No New Events were added to the program. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic was becoming normalised resulting in the 2021 restrictions being lifted.

Location[edit]

The first HOSG was held in 1985 at Ballarat with seven events, and 240 competitors from 16 schools. In 1987, the event moved to Geelong where it has been held each year since.

In 2018, the HOSG organizing committee awarded the rights to hold the regatta in Geelong for a further 5-year period from 2020-2024 inclusive.

Management[edit]

Each year a different school would host the regatta, but as it grew in size and popularity (from 9 events in 1987 to 321 crews and 2009 competitors in 2005), the Head of the Schoolgirl Regatta Committee decided to contract the event management and official duties. 2005 was the inaugural year in which Rowing Victoria conducted the regatta on behalf of the HOSG regatta committee. Throughout the history of the regatta, the boat racing officials have been through Rowing Victoria.

Events[edit]

Racing at the Head of the Schoolgirls is in Eights, Coxed Quad Sculls, Coxed Fours, Double Sculls and Single Sculls across multiple divisions and year levels. Additional divisions have been added over the years to accommodate the increased popularity of schoolgirl rowing. As of 2021 the regatta offers the following:

Year 9 (1000m)[edit]

Coxed Quad Scull (9 Divisions); Coxed Four (8 Divisions); Single Scull (1 Division)

Year 10 (1000m)[edit]

Eight (1 Division); Coxed Quad Scull (7 Divisions); Coxed Four (6 Divisions); Double Scull (1 Division); Single Scull (1 Division)

Open (1500m)[edit]

Eight (4 Divisions); Coxed Quad Scull (5 Divisions); Coxed Four (5 Divisions); Double Scull (1 Division); Single Scull (1 Division)

Morongo Medals[edit]

Those girls who have competed in the Head of the Schoolgirls Regatta for three or more years, and are in Year 12, are eligible to receive a Morongo Medal. These medals have been struck to commemorate Morongo Girls' College's contribution to the HOSG as a competitor before closing and to recognize its supporters' club, the Chirnside Club, as a valued contributor to the Schoolgirls. The medal's inscription - "Sint lucernae ardentes" is translated as "Keep the lamp burning".

Results[edit]

Female School Eight Open Div 1[edit]

FSCH8+O1
Year Winner 2nd 3rd
1990 Wesley College
1991 MLC
1992 Genazzano
1993 Lauriston
1994 Geelong Grammar
1995 Geelong Grammar
1996 Geelong Grammar
1997 Geelong Grammar
1998 Geelong Grammar
1999 Geelong Grammar
2000 Geelong Grammar
2001 Geelong Grammar
2002 Geelong College Geelong Grammar Melbourne Girls Grammar
2003 Geelong College Geelong Grammar MLC
2004 Geelong College St Catherine's Carey
2005 MLC Geelong Grammar Melbourne Girls Grammar
2006 MLC Geelong College Melbourne Girls Grammar
2007 MLC Geelong Grammar Geelong College
2008 MLC St Catherine's Geelong Grammar
2009 Geelong Grammar St Catherine's MLC
2010 MLC Geelong College Geelong Grammar
2011 Melbourne Girls Grammar Genazzano MLC
2012 Melbourne Girls Grammar MLC Genazzano
2013 Genazzano MLC Melbourne Girls Grammar
2014 MLC Loreto Toorak Melbourne Girls Grammar
2015 Geelong Grammar Loreto Toorak MLC
2016 Geelong Grammar Loreto Toorak St Catherine's
2017 MLC Firbank Loreto Toorak
2018 CANCELLED CANCELLED CANCELLED
2019 MLC Geelong College St Catherine's
2020 CANCELLED CANCELLED CANCELLED
2021 St Catherine's Melbourne Girls Grammar MLC
2022 St Catherine's Melbourne Girls Grammar Loreto Toorak

Female School Coxed Quad Scull Open Div 1[edit]

FSCH4X+O1
Year Winner 2nd 3rd
1993 Genazzano
1994 Genazzano
1995 Genazzano
1996 MLC
1997 MLC
1998 MLC
1999 Genazzano
2000 Sacred Heart
2001 Sacred Heart
2002 MLC Loreto Toorak Firbank
2003 Loreto Toorak Firbank Sacred Heart
2004 Firbank Sacred Heart Ruyton
2005 Sacred Heart Firbank Loreto Toorak
2006 Firbank Loreto Toorak Genazzano
2007 Firbank Genazzano Sacred Heart
2008 Genazzano Sacred Heart Loreto Toorak
2009 Genazzano Sacred Heart Gippsland Grammar
2010 Gippsland Grammar Sacred Heart Ruyton
2011 Sacred Heart Loreto Toorak Ruyton
2012 Loreto Toorak Sacred Heart Ruyton
2013 Firbank Ruyton Korowa
2014 Firbank Korowa Ruyton
2015 Ruyton Strathcona Firbank
2016 Ruyton Strathcona Sacred Heart
2017 Ruyton Sacred Heart Korowa
2018 CANCELLED CANCELLED CANCELLED
2019 Ruyton Strathcona Korowa
2020 CANCELLED CANCELLED CANCELLED
2021 Ruyton Melbourne Girls' College Strathcona
2022 Strathcona Melbourne Girls' College Kardinia

Female School Four Open Div 1[edit]

FSCH4+O1
Year Winner 2nd 3rd
1985 MLC
1986 Geelong Grammar
1987 Wesley College
1988 Geelong Grammar
1989 Morongo
1990 Geelong Grammar
1991 Geelong Grammar
1992 Geelong College
1993 Lauriston
1994 Lauriston
1995 Lauriston
1996 Geelong Grammar
1997 Geelong Grammar
1998 Lauriston
1999 MLC
2000 Lauriston
2001 Ballarat Grammar
2002 Ballarat Grammar Ballarat & Clarendon Ballarat High
2003 Ballarat Grammar Lauriston Ballarat & Clarendon
2004 Ballarat Grammar Lauriston Ballarat High
2005 Ballarat Grammar Ballarat & Clarendon Ballarat High
2006 Ballarat Grammar Korowa Lauriston
2007 Ballarat Grammar Korowa Toorak
2008 Ballarat & Clarendon Ballarat Grammar Kardinia
2009 Lauriston Ballarat Grammar Ballarat & Clarendon
2010 Lauriston Ballarat & Clarendon Toorak
2011 Lauriston Ballarat Grammar PLC
2012 Ballarat Grammar Melbourne Girls' College Shelford
2013 Lauriston Ballarat Grammar Ballarat & Clarendon
2014 Ballarat & Clarendon Ballarat Grammar Lauriston
2015 Melbourne Girls' College Ballarat & Clarendon Kardinia
2016 Ballarat Grammar Lauriston Ballarat High
2017 Loreto Ballarat Melbourne Girls' College Damascus
2018 CANCELLED CANCELLED CANCELLED
2019 Ballarat Grammar Loreto Ballarat Ballarat & Clarendon
2020 CANCELLED CANCELLED CANCELLED
2021 Ballarat & Clarendon Ballarat Grammar Loreto Ballarat
2022 Ballarat & Clarendon Loreto Ballarat Shelford

Female School Double Scull Open Div 1[edit]

FSCH2XO1
Year Winner 2nd 3rd
2017 Maribyrnong Ruyton Fintona
2018 CANCELLED CANCELLED CANCELLED
2019 Genazzano Monivae College Canterbury
2020 CANCELLED CANCELLED CANCELLED
2021 Mercy College Ruyton Sacred Heart
2022 Albert Park College Gippsland Grammar Xavier High School

Female School Single Scull Open Div 1[edit]

FSCH1XO1
Year Winner 2nd 3rd
1985 Ballarat High
1986 Ballarat High
1987
1988 Lowther Hall
1989 Korowa
1990 Lauriston
1991 Loreto Toorak
1992 Lauriston
1993 Fintona
1994 Toorak
1995 Firbank
1996 Gippsland Grammar
1997 Matthew Flinders
1998 Strathmore Secondary College
1999 Strathmore Secondary College
2000 Geelong High
2001 Canterbury
2002 Canterbury Melbourne Girls Grammar Wesley College
2003 Lowther Hall MLC Melbourne Girls' College
2004 Brighton Secondary Firbank Kardinia
2005 MLC Geelong High St Columba's
2006 Melbourne Girls' College Star MLC
2007 Melbourne Girls' College Melbourne Girls' College Pascoe Vale
2008 Melbourne Girls' College Melbourne Girls' College MLC
2009 Caulfield Grammar MLC St Columba's
2010 Mentone Girls' School St Columba's Emmanuel College
2011 Melbourne Girls' College Wesley College St Columba's
2012 Melbourne Girls' College Clonard College St Columba's
2013 St Columba's Pascoe Vale Christian College
2014 Sacred Heart, Yarrawonga CAE Melbourne Melbourne Girls' College
2015 Lowther Hall Melbourne Girls' College Corowa High School
2016 Kardinia Melbourne Girls' College Firbank
2017 Melbourne Girls' College Gippsland Grammar Brighton Secondary College
2018 CANCELLED CANCELLED CANCELLED
2019 Maribyrnong College Star Gippsland Grammar
2020 CANCELLED CANCELLED CANCELLED
2021 Kardinia Korowa Maribyrnong College
2022 Geelong College Seda College Maribyrnong College

Overall[edit]

The school that has the highest medal tally for the regatta is deemed to be the Head of the Schoolgirls Champions. While no trophy is awarded for this feat, it is a source of great pride for the recipient school.

HOSG Champions
Year Winner 2nd 3rd
2002 MLC Melbourne Girls Grammar St Catherine's
2003 MLC St Catherine's Carey
2004 MLC Genazzano Carey
2005 MLC Melbourne Girls Grammar Firbank
2006 MLC Genazzano Carey
2007 MLC Genazzano Loreto Toorak
2008 MLC Genazzano Melbourne Girls Grammar
2009 MLC Loreto Toorak Genazzano
2010 Genazzano MLC Lauriston
2011 Genazzano Loreto Toorak Melbourne Girls' College
2012 Loreto Toorak Carey MLC
2013 Loreto Toorak Carey Genazzano
2014 Carey Firbank MLC
2015 MLC Loreto Toorak Melbourne Girls' College
2016 Loreto Toorak MLC Firbank
2017 MLC Loreto Toorak St Catherine's
2018 CANCELLED CANCELLED CANCELLED
2019 Loreto Toorak Loreto Ballarat MLC
2020 CANCELLED CANCELLED CANCELLED
2021 Loreto Toorak Loreto Ballarat MLC
2022 MLC Loreto Toorak Melbourne Girls Grammar

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ https://www.rowingvictoria.asn.au/scripts/download/file/&id=vcs9owmuxmfpg5ia
  2. ^ "Rowing Victoria Regattas".

External links[edit]