{"id":74580,"date":"2021-02-18T04:45:41","date_gmt":"2021-02-17T17:45:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/ballarat\/?p=74580"},"modified":"2021-02-18T08:09:16","modified_gmt":"2021-02-17T21:09:16","slug":"bhs-head-of-the-lake","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/ballarat\/sport\/bhs-head-of-the-lake\/","title":{"rendered":"Potential and resilience within BHS rowers"},"content":{"rendered":"

AHEAD of tomorrow\u2019s annual Head of the Lake regatta between secondary schools, Ballarat High School\u2019s rowing club isn\u2019t dwelling on the pandemic\u2019s training interruptions.<\/p>\n

Participation numbers are up at the BHS rowing shed, which director Rob Simmonds said is a place of positivity, encouragement, and promising young talent.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got massive numbers, and more crews than we\u2019ve had in the last couple of years. This year, the focus is \u2018let\u2019s enjoy ourselves, learn and develop our skills\u2019,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got six year 10 girls crews, and five year 10 boys crews. That\u2019s the most we can remember having. The signs for the future are good.<\/p>\n

\u201c2021 has been about having fun and keeping them engaged. This year\u2019s a success if we turn up next season and the kids sign back up.\u201d<\/p>\n

The top open crews, facing Ballarat\u2019s division one pool over two kilometres, are looking to achieve personal best times on Friday, and to make BHS proud.<\/p>\n

Open boys\u2019 firsts coach Patrick Hawkes said the goal for this Head of the Lake has \u201cnever been about winning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe understand we\u2019re all coming back next year. We\u2019re hoping to put ourselves in a good position to be competitive in the future,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Open girls\u2019 firsts co-coach Olivia Spagnolo said tomorrow\u2019s results aren\u2019t what matter most.<\/p>\n

\u201cRegardless of what happens, I hope they\u2019ll feel confident, equally excited and nervous, give it their best, and be happy with how they row,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Mr Simmonds gave the \u201cstandout\u201d year 10 division three girls a shout-out.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey have a great bond. They\u2019ve set their own additional challenges and weights training to better themselves. That\u2019s the attitude you want in your top crews,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s good resilience and potential here. I\u2019m really excited for 2022 and 2023 at the shed.\u201d<\/p>\n