More than 130 members, supporters and friends gathered at Wellington Rowing Club for one of the highlights of the rowing year – Prizegiving.

Blazers were pressed, bunting was strung, and the trophies gleamed like never before, polished, as one organiser put it, "within an inch of their silver."

A huge thank you to the organising committee of Liane McGee, Jo Young, Jacinda Allwood, Paula Pope, Maria Seymour and Lynda Duncan. It was a wonderful afternoon, celebrating not just the achievements of our rowers but several other special occasions.

Happy 80th, Dick!

Amid the season celebrations, a special moment was reserved for a club legend. Dick Joyce turned 80, and the prizegiving crowd made sure he knew exactly how much he means to WRC. Many happy returns, Dick.

Honouring Alan Boykett

A beautifully restored model of an eight was unveiled in honour of the late Alan Boykett, a fitting tribute to a much-loved figure in the club’s history. The model now stands as a lasting reminder of his contribution to Wellington Rowing Club.

New Additions to the Fleet

Two new additions to the WRC fleet were christened on the day. The Nina Brown coach boat and a new double named for Richard ‘Noddy’ May were officially welcomed into service, marking the contributions of two stalwarts of the club.

The Awards

Best Rower Awards

Recognising the “boat movers” of the season – rowers whose technique, attitude and leadership make the whole crew faster.

 

Best Club Woman

Madison Farelly

A consistent trainer with good technique, Madison also stepped up as a leader within the Intermediate Women’s squad and took on a significant share of the squad’s administrative load throughout the season.

Other nominee: Shay Ostenberry

 

Best Club Male

Josh Cassidy

Josh led by example in the Club Men’s squad, improving his personal performance while remaining supportive, reliable and willing to take on whatever was needed.

Other nominee: Geo Snelling

Cup for Best Schoolgirl

Awarded to the outstanding school-age female rower of the season.

 

Imogen Hille (Samuel Marsden Collegiate)

Imogen had a standout season, selected for the North Island squad at the North vs South regatta, and combining with Charlie Fitzgerald to win silver in the U17 2- and 5^th in the U18 2- at Maadi, and bronze in the Club 2- at Club National Champs.

Other nominees: Charlie Fitzgerald, Niamh Watson, Trixie Baird-Smith

Cup for Best Schoolboy

Awarded to the outstanding school-age male rower of the season.

 

Reuben Andrews (Onslow)

Reuben earned silver at Maadi and bronze at NISSC in a consistent season of strong results.

Best Coxswain

Awarded to the coxswain who best combined technical steering, race strategy, and crew leadership throughout the season.

 

Charlotte Murray (St Mary’s)

Most Promising Novice Woman

For novice rowers whose ability and attitude suggest they will go far in the sport.

 

Sophia Scheper

From the very start of the season, Sophia stood out for her performance, consistent attendance and enthusiasm.

Other nominee: Hannah Stephens

 

Most Promising Novice Man

As above, for male novice rowers.

 

Aidan Patterson

Aidan arrived early in the season and immediately showed a drive to improve both on and off the water. He quickly became a core part of the club squad – reliable at training, helpful with boat loading, and comfortable stroking most of his races.

Other nominees: Toby Hill and Antoine Ellis

Cup for Most Promising Schoolgirl Novice

Donated by St Mary’s College. For the school-age female novice showing the most promise for the future.

 

Greta Keenan (Samuel Marsden Collegiate)

Marsden’s novice of the season, Greta earned a seat ahead of more experienced rowers to race in the U15 4+, coming 5th at Maadi.

Other nominees: Grace Wright, Emma Gosse-Ward

 

Cup for Most Promising Schoolboy Novice

Donated by Onslow College. For the school-age male novice showing the most promise.

 

Tomislav Marinkovich (St Patrick’s)

Vice President’s Cup for Most Improved Rower

For a non-novice rower who has shown the most improvement in technique, ability and attitude during the season.

 

Maggie Elmiger (St Mary’s)

Masters’ Awards

Recognising rowers who embody the spirit of Masters rowing: passion for the sport, support for the club, and commitment to training and racing.

 

CJ O’Neill Memorial Trophy for Masters’ Women — Jo Stokes

Jo stands out for her training ethic and enthusiasm for rowing in any crew, no matter the circumstances. Jo is always generous in offering guidance on boat maintenance and is a regular volunteer when it comes to driving the truck to camps or regattas, making those logistical challenges much easier for everyone. She also extends her support to the Wainuiomata High School rowing squad, demonstrating genuine care for the sport and for nurturing the broader rowing community.

 

Other nominees: Jacinda Allwood and Lynda Duncan

 

Wellington Rowing Club Masters Cup for Men — Myles Johnson

Secretary’s Cup for Most Dedicated School Rower

For the school rower or coxswain who has shown dedication not only to rowing but to the club — boat loading, maintenance and beyond.

 

Grace Kenny (Marsden)

In her final school season, Grace became Marsden’s self-appointed Head of Maintenance. She was always willing to give up time for boat maintenance, cleaning the club and volunteering wherever needed — an outstanding role model showing others that our sport depends on people like her.

Other nominees: Anita Goonan, Costin Eley, Charlie Wright

Hazelwood-Lawrence Trophy for Outstanding Devotion to Rowing

For the rower or coxswain who showed outstanding dedication and enthusiasm: reliable at training, committed in racing, and supportive of crew, coaches and club alike.

 

Myles Tanirau-Taiapa (Wainuiomata High School)

After giving rowing a go for a weekend in December 2024, Myles has shown an immediate love for the sport. He has dedicated almost every weekend to rowing and has made every regatta we’ve attended, participating in the most races in the squad. He is always the first to volunteer to sit in with newbies in the lagoon, and first to wade out to catch them if they drift too far. Myles constantly strives to improve his erg times and form on the water, and can be often heard reciting the school haka from a distance as he rows. He has shown true dedication to the sport.

 

Other nominees: Charlotte Chisolm, Deidre Sheppard, Ellie Chichester

 

The Brent Hazelwood Memorial Trophy for Supporter of the Year

For the supporter who has consistently contributed to the wellbeing and functioning of the club throughout the season.

 

Calum and Siobhan Watson (St Mary’s)

Calum and Siobhan towed boats and coach boats for multiple training camps — not just for St Mary’s but for joint trips with other squads — and gave up their time repeatedly across the season at camps, regattas and boat maintenance.

Other nominees: Shannon Horner, Matt Kenny, Kate Bresolin

Victoria University Rowing Club Cup for Underdog of the Year

For crews who weren’t expected to shine on race day but pulled something special out of the bag — celebrating those who race for the love of the sport.

 

Winners — Iain Scotcher and Patrick Hearn-Powers (Club Men Intermediate Double)

Iain’s first full season at the club after uni rowing, and Patrick’s first at WRC entirely — and together they went and won the Norton Cup Division 1 Inty 2x. A brilliant result for a brand-new combination, from two people who clearly care deeply about the sport whatever the scoreboard says.

Other nominees: Victoria University men’s tournament four (Toby Hill, Antoine Ellis, Aidan Patterson, Dawson Howarth, cox Nina Nemcanin)

The Manning Pritchard Trophy for Most Regatta Points

Winner — Kaine Goonan (24 points)

Runners-up: Charlie Fitzgerald (18 pts) | Sam Harford (17 pts) | Aidan Rook (15 pts)

Crews of the Year

For the crews who impressed most through the manner of their training, their competitive standard, and the example they set for the club.

 

Peter Delaney President’s Trophy – School Crew of the Year

Onslow Boys Under 16 2x (Costin Eley, Reuben Andrews)

Costin and Reuben had an outstanding year in what is one of the most competitive boat classes in schoolboy rowing. They earned at bronze in the event at NISSC and went one better at Maadi, taking out the silver medal.

Other nominees: Marsden senior pair (Charlie Fitzgerald, Imogen Hille) and Marsden intermediate four (Ruby Fitzgerald, Sienna Cohen, Emily Greening, Grace Kenny, cox Abby Lendrum)

 

Overall Crew of the Year

Women’s Club Pair (Charlie Fitzgerald and Imogen Hille, Samuel Marsden Collegiate)

Charlie and Imogen set the running throughout the year in their boat class at both club and school level, which was recognised with them both being invited to trial for the North Island crew for the North vs South regatta. During 2025/26, they performed at a high level in all their regattas, with notable performances at the club National Championships (bronze in the Club Pair), NISS (silver in U17 pair and 5^th in U18 pair) and Maadi (silver in U17 pair and 5^th in U18 pair).

Other nominee: Boys U18 Double (Kaine Goonan and Sam Harford, Onslow College)