MEET THE SCHOOL
I ’ m often asked about the impact of rowing on a rower ’ s future , but I can honestly say that it wasn ’ t the actual rowing that made our inspiring alumnae who they are today . I believe , in a large part , that these athletes were attracted to rowing because it offered something they craved . Apart from the physical characteristics of what makes a good rower , the mental characteristics the sport demands are far more important .
I could look back at each of these rowers when they were at school and say that they showed great perseverance , the right balance of optimism / realism , and above all , they were ( and still are !) stubborn people who never give up . This powerful combination is why they often achieved more than we as coaches , teachers or parents could ever have imagined for them . They frequently exceeded our expectations , and I believe that Headington School Oxford and the Boat Club provided the environment for this to happen .
These women had the ability to dream big , and believe that if they invested the time , energy and commitment to the group , they would be successful . They also knew what to do when they failed ; it ’ s one thing saying you simply need to get back up when you fall , but it ’ s another thing to actually do it . In this sport , you can ’ t hide from failure and as such , you have to adapt and learn from the experience to be successful .
Rowing requires us to go out in the worst weather , the toughest conditions and train for hours on end ; blisters and sweat are a currency in this sport . It ’ s relentless and difficult in what is a ferocious and graceful environment . The rowers ’ level of commitment means that the foundations of resilience , team work , grit and determination flourish within the programme , and it ’ s often possible to observe these characteristics from the early days of when pupils start rowing . The sport simply allows such qualities to flourish and , as such , future challenges become that bit easier , failures become opportunities and your team becomes your family . As long as you can visualise success , be optimistic whilst realistic , and surround yourself with like-minded people , success is inevitable .
The overwhelming point for me is that these young women are not just rowers . They are well-respected by teachers because they were organised , focused and driven . They are loved by their friends because even in the toughest of times , they are unquestionably reliable and trustworthy . We as a club simply provide the environment , the culture , and the ethos in which they can succeed . That is what HSOBC is all about .
The Science Behind the Success :
The Boat Club has featured in numerous articles in British Rowing ’ s Rowing & Regatta : Most notably , “ The Science behind the success ”. As time is precious , it is important that the club makes every effort to ensure that training is backed up by a robust scientific consultation and approach to athlete development . Regular consultation with physiotherapists , strength and conditioning experts , sports scientists , nutritionists , biomechanists and access to world-leading physiologists allows Headington to target training more effectively for individual programming and development in a time efficient manner .
Head Coach and Performance Director , Ryan Demaine leads the Great Britain Junior Women ’ s Sweep team and has nine international coaching medals while Chris Hermes , Head of Rowing at Headington School , has coached numerous GB teams and has six international coaching medals . This combined with six further coaches , some of whom have rowed or coached at the Olympic games , while others attendeduUniversities in the USA or rowed for Oxford Brookes or Oxford University , makes Headington a formidable force in Junior Women ’ s Rowing .
The Headington by numbers : In the last 20 years :
• 21 have achieved places at Oxbridge .
• 11 have raced the Oxford Cambridge Boat Race .
• 120 have represented GB .
• The only school or club to qualify for every Henley Royal Regatta since Junior Women ’ s rowing was introduced to the Regatta in 2012 .
• Winners of the Inaugural Junior Women ’ s Eights ( Prince Philip Challenge Trophy 2021 )
• Since 2011 : 14 places at US universities . Two of which have been captains of Yale ( Pictured top left ).
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