Over 2,500 New Zealand secondary school boys and girls will be battling for medals and school honour at the Maadi Cup, New Zealand’s biggest rowing regatta this week. The event is the largest school sports event in the Southern Hemisphere.

The prestigious Maadi cup is awarded to the winning boys’ under-18 coxed eight. All competitors must be full-time students and have a satisfactory attendance record at a New Zealand School, in order to participate in the marquis race.

Held annually, the regatta is a NZSSRA and Rowing NZ event and it is New Zealand’s largest rowing regatta and one of the largest secondary school sporting events in New Zealand. There are several different classes and races, culminating in the final race for the Maadi Cup.

The regatta is split into four age groups (under 15, 16, 17 and 18) and includes a novice class for rowers in their first season. Students compete in 50 events across various classes, with other regatta awards including the Springbok Shield (boys’ under-18 coxed four), the Levin Jubilee Cup (girls’ under 18 eight), the Dawn Cup (girls’ under 18 coxed four) and the Star Trophy (top overall school).

Running from 22 March to 27 March, this years’ Maadi Cup event is being held at Lake Karapiro in Cambridge and will be the largest in the history of the event. Rowers and coxswains from 122 New Zealand secondary schools will be cheered on by over 8,000 spectators.

As a sport rowing requires significant investment, not only in the time to train, but in the purchase and transportation of very bulky, costly equipment – a rowing eight is nearly 19 metres long!

In recognition of the huge commitment required by coaches, competitors and their families, UPS Power Solutions has provided a helping hand to Wellington’s Onslow College.

 

 

The company’s Helping Hands Initiative has funded a purpose-build trailer to safely transport the college’s rowing skiffs, oars and other equipment to various regattas across the country.

UPS Power Solutions’ Sales Director, Graham Blackmore assisted with the design of the trailer, calling on his expertise in perfecting design for critical assets.

“Onslow College’s new trailer provides the College rowing programme with a critical piece of equipment that will be used by many cohorts of college rowers. We’re delighted to support the development of future New Zealand rowing representatives and more importantly, help grow New Zealand’s youth into great people,” he says.

Through rowing, the students learn the skills of time management, teamwork, and they become incredibly fit and strong – all skills that have long term benefits.

We wish all the rowers well this week – Winning medals is good, racing is better, loving the sport is best!

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