Catholic principals back changes to Maadi Cup eligibility

St Peter’s College, Auckland, headmaster James Bentley said the rule allowing Year 14 students to compete had been a “black mark over the sport for some time”.

The rule change came after a special general meeting of the New Zealand Secondary Schools Rowing Association last month. A stand-off between the association and principals over the issue led to a no confidence vote in the association’s leadership at a previous SGM.

“There were a group of us who wanted to see change, and we were frustrated,” Mr Bentley said.

Dale Maher, head coach at St Bede’s College in Christchurch, said that allowing Year 14 students to compete had an impact on the competition, even though not many Year 14s have competed.

The extra year of endurance training gave the Year 14 students an advantage, Mr Maher said.

Having Year 14 students come back to compete was part of a “win at all costs mentality” for some, critics stated.

There had been controversy for years over the practice of Year 14 students coming back to school to compete. The age limit was changed from under-19 to under-18 some years ago, but students who were 18 on January 1 could still compete in Year 14.

Critics have said there is no valid educational reason for students to return for Year 14. But it has been pointed out that additional educational requirements are needed for entry to some US universities in scholarships.

With the rule change, schools must apply for an exemption for a Year 14 student to compete. The application is assessed by an independent panel of principals.

Mr Bentley said that he believed the test for dispensation to be granted needs to be robust.

This year’s Maadi Cup competition on Lake Karapiro takes place in March.

FULL STORY

Year 14 rowers banned from schools Maadi Regatta after ‘tortuous’ process – NZ Herald (By Dana Johannsen/Radio New Zealand)