College sports: Tiff over Maadi Cup planning

By DAVE WORSLEY

The Secondary Schools Rowing Association has defended itself against criticism of the organisation of the Maadi Cup.

During this year's event at Lake Ruataniwha in Canterbury, temperatures dropped so dramatically it snowed, and some rowers suffered from mild hypothermia.

There was also disagreement over the use of a lay day.

But the executive officer of the Secondary Schools Rowing Association, Gary Carr Smith, said there was nothing untoward, just bad weather, which happened from time to time.

He said Rowing New Zealand chief Craig Ross had made some disparaging comments about the Maadi Cup, but Rowing New Zealand did not run the event.

"We're not very happy with some of the unfortunate comments he has made about us and the event," Carr Smith said. "What's happening is that Rowing NZ is losing about 100 rowers a year and we're gaining 200.

"Rowing New Zealand is the smallest body in the country.

"They are trying to pick up independent rowing bodies [secondary schools and university rowing] and put them together under their umbrella."

He believed that secondary schools rowing and Rowing New Zealand should remain apart; one dealt with club or national rowers, and the other was solely for students and dealt with schools.

Ross, coach of the Mt Maunganui rowing team at the Maadi Cup, is not saying his body should take over schools rowing, but wants to have a look at the organisation of the latest event.

"Obviously we have concerns at the end of the day," he said.

"It's our responsibility to review our relationships with all stakeholders. South Island Rowing was the contracted party to run the Maadi Cup and we want to review how things went."

Ross said many rowers had not had a positive experience.

"New Zealand Secondary Schools Rowing is a totally independent body with a loose affiliation. I think we need to look at that relationship.

"It's something we need to revise, so that rowing benefits. There's plenty of interest in how to keep them [students] in our sport.

"If they don't have good experiences they will leave in masses."

Ross spoke at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Secondary Schools Association, at which he suggested the need to work together.

"I said that we need to look outside our own little boxes and need to look at the bigger picture . . . and left that with them."

Carr Smith said Rowing New Zealand, University Rowing and Secondary Schools Rowing should get together to know where they stood. but should stay separate.