The secret to St Mary’s success
HIGHLANDS NORTH – Local school comes out tops at SA Sport Awards.
St Mary’s School, Waverley, has a long history of success in rowing, but this year the school’s rowing club won the award for School Team of the Year at the South African Sports Awards for the first time.
Head rowing coach, Caitlin Dace received the award with 1st quad rowers Caitlin Bentley and Emma Pringle (team captain) at a glitzy and glamorous event at Emperor’s Palace on 12 November.
Before the cut-off period for award submissions in September, the school’s 1st quad and overall rowing club had both won the Gauteng Championships last year and the South African Championships in March.
The 1st quad team also took the First Quad event, which incorporated several races and regattas over the course of the year. Three 1st quad rowers were also selected to represent South Africa at the Junior World Championships in Lithuania in August.
“I like to believe we breed success in our rowing club,” said Dace, who explained that the rowing club comprised 55 girls from U14 to open level, including singles, pairs and quad rowing teams.
“We have some of the best coaches in the country, who are loyal and committed. Our teams work very hard and have big match temperament to perform well when they have to.”
She highlighted a strong support base from parents and the school as vital to the success the school has seen across its sporting codes.
In rowing, the school has been particularly successful though, winning the SA Championships 17 times out of the last 25.
Former learner, Kate Christowitz was in the South African rowing team at the Rio 2016 Olympics.
“We teach the girls to be strong and resilient at St Mary’s,” Dace added. “They become successful in whatever they do.”
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Next up for the rowing team is the Schools Boat Race on the Kowie River in Port Alfred in December.
St Mary’s has won the race for the past three years, and 10 times out of the last 16.
“We hope to get it again,” Dace concluded.
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