The Cardinal Club Inc - Scotch College

Council

ROWING: The Cardinal Club Inc

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BACKGROUND AND MAIN ACTIVITIES

The Cardinal Club is the parent support organisation for the very successful Scotch Rowing program. It is affiliated with both the Old Scotch Collegians Association (OSCA) and the Scotch Parents Association (SPA). Its primary objective is to support the Scotch College Boat Club, which it does in a number of ways:

  • connecting parents on the riverbank, organising social events and keeping parents informed about rowing activities
  • organising breakfasts for Scotch rowers each weekday throughout the rowing season
  • providing a range of competitor and spectator merchandise
  • providing Boat Race Officials at Rowing Victoria regattas throughout the season
  • raising funds to contribute to rowing facilities/training equipment
  • enabling Old Scotch Collegians and members of the Scotch Family to row, socially and competitively
  • promoting social connection to Scotch rowing for Cardinal Club members, Old Boys and their parents and other members of the Scotch Family

MAJOR EVENTS

The Scotch Rowing Season Launch held before the rowing of the Head of the Yarra on the last Saturday in November each year with a Breakfast Barbecue and row-past of the senior and Year 10 crews.

The Parents’ Summer Drinks is held at the start of the season to welcome all rowing parents.

The Don MacMillan Cocktail Party is held during the week of the Head of the River. This is a gala event for parents and rowing supporters. The 1st VIII is introduced by the previous year’s Captain of Boats and past decade crews are honoured.

Organised by the Scotch and Mercantile Boat Clubs, the Scotch-Mercantile Regatta is the seeding regatta for the Head of the River.

On the riverbank: The Cardinal Club provides a tent for parents and other spectators to meet at the regattas each week and also provides Boat Race Officials to help run those regattas.

The Head of the River: The Cardinal Club provides a large marquee with chairs and tables at Nagambie for the APS Head of the River. The Club then makes a presentation to each Scotch Crew at the end of the day and awards medals for the winning crews.

Year 9 and 10 Head of the River celebration is arranged by the Cardinal Club in the Boykett Room of the Cardinal Pavilion on the night of the Head of the River.

The Year 8 Regatta: The Cardinal Club helps arrange the regatta for first year rowers on the Scotch straight.

The Rowing Presentation Night: The Cardinal Club presents each senior and Year 10 rower with a participation medal at this night which the school hosts.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Sunday Rowers Program: Members of The Cardinal Club are able to take advantage of the School’s rowing facilities on Sunday mornings (8.30am). Novices to experienced oarsmen and women are invited. The Sunday Rowers enjoy social rowing and competition in Masters events as the Cardinal Rowing Club which is affiliated with Rowing Victoria

OVERVIEW OF THE SPORT

The Rowing Handbook can be downloaded from the web site.

Boys can start rowing in Term 4 of Year 7 and competitive interschool rowing starts in Term 1 of Year 9. Regattas are held throughout the season at different venues for different crews. The season generally begins with the Melbourne Head Regatta on the Yarra and culminates with the Head of the River at Nagambie.

Usually the 1st, 2nd and 10A VIIIs compete at the National Championships and from time to time crews row at the Henley Royal Regatta in England.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

Support from the river bank is the best way to encourage the boys and get to know the life of Scotch rowing.

Helping with the morning breakfasts; becoming a Boat Race Official; erecting the pop top at regattas and generally participating at events is the best way to become part of the Scotch rowing family.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Visit the webpage: http://www.cardinalclub.com.au/

Receive email:

Contacts: Rowing News and Events: Cardinal Club in the Torch Newsletter

If your son has started rowing, you will receive regular emails from the Director of Rowing and the Cardinal Club.  

If you change your email address please advise the school directly on updates@scotch.vic.edu.au