Great Race dreams keep Waikato University rower on the water

For Waikato University rower Finian Scott the decision to return to Waikato was made easy this year - the chance to be part of a winning Great Race crew.

Timaru born Finian is part of the University of Waikato Rowing Club men’s eight who earlier this year won the Hebberley Shield and are hoping to win the annual Gallagher Great Race on September 11.

The Gallagher Great Race has become a favourite event on the Waikato calendar, where each year thousands of people line the banks of the Waikato River to see two highly competitive rowing crews battle each other.

This year is the 10^th anniversary of the race which sends crews 3.85 kilometres upstream battling the 4.2 kilometre current.

“I was part of the Great Race last year and my plan for this year was to move closer to home but the earthquake struck. I wanted to keep rowing so staying at Waikato was the obvious choice with Karapiro just down the road.

“Initially I wasn’t sure if I was going to come back but it’s the 10^th year of the race and it’s a lot of fun and a chance to be part of history. The whole event has gone from strength to strength and it’s a real big date on calendars all around the country.”

Finian is the recipient of a Prime Ministers athletic scholarship and is a University of Waikato Hillary Scholar completing the third year of a Bachelors degree in Political Science. He was also a member of the Waikato University Rowing Club crew who claimed the coveted Hebberley Shield at the University Rowing Championships in April this year.

Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarships are the University of Waikato’s most prestigious scholarships and are awarded to students who are high academic achievers and who show potential in the arts or sport. Scholars have their course fees covered, receive specialist coaching and mentoring and take part in personal development and leadership programmes.

“I’m here for the rowing. Being a Hillary Scholar gives you access to face to face support which is one of the reasons I applied. You also have access to a huge range of other Hillary Scholars which helps when you’re training.”

Waikato University has named the Men’s Eight rowing crew taking part in the Gallagher Great Race against England’s University of Cambridge and the University of Melbourne on September 11.

The Waikato Senior Men’s Eight includes Matthew Glenn, Richard Harrison, Duncan Grant, Hayden Cohen and Will Meats who are joined by Sir Edmund Hillary Rowing Scholars Shaun Kirkham, Logan Rodger, Finian Scott, coach Ross Tong and coxswain Ivan Pavich.