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St Edward’s:
150 Years
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Chapter 7 / Sport and Outdoors
for example arrived at Teddies in 1931 and was fundamental
to the post-war success of the Boat Club. He oversaw the
first Eight to row at Henley (1932). His return from the
war coincided with the arrival of Desmond Hill. 1946 saw
major advances for school rowing and Teddies in particular;
the Martyrs Boat Club was formed at the same time as the
introduction of the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup (PE) at
Henley. In 1947, while the Boat Club recorded its first open
regatta trophy, Junior Eights at Reading Regatta, Desmond
Hill created the Colts and Third VIIIs Regatta at Godstow. The
event moved around the Thames Valley and grew to become
the National Schools’ Regatta (from 1964), now offering over
50 events for around 3,500 boys and girls. In 1979 the VIII
won the Queen Mother Challenge Cup.
Henley Royal Regatta is the highlight of the rowing
calendar and often the pinnacle of a rower’s career. Teddies’
first win in the PE was in 1958, a feat repeated in 1959.
Maitland Emmet had left the School in 1957, handing the
coaching of the VIII to J.J. Vernon, who undoubtedly was the
key to this success. R.D. Hill records that, for the 1958 victory
‘the entire school made the pilgrimage to the final and saw
Oundle led from the start’.
ROWING
For the past tenth of the School’s existence, I have had
the honour to coach the VIII, oversee Boat Club activities
as Master in Charge or both. On my arrival in 1998, Peter
Middleton was running a well-equipped Boat Club, amply
supported by the School and the Martyrs Boat Club. Under
coach, Bill Sayer the 1998 crew had won the Schools’ Head
and his departure left a huge gap. Much to my surprise I
found myself trying to fill it and build on that legacy. The
transition from rower to coach was a bumpy journey but
made possible and all the more interesting by the reassuring
presence of the legendary, Mike Rosewell. Mike oversaw the
dominance of Teddies rowing in the 1970s but returned as
guide and mentor. The Henley victory of 1999 was a tribute
to him as well as the titanic efforts of the crew. With sincere
apologies for the absence of detail, many exceptional
rowers and personalities have since come and gone, not
least in 2003 (National Schools’ Regatta (NSR) Bronze and
Henley Royal Regatta (HRR) finalists). It has been a privilege
to finish with a Henley final in 2013 from our fastest and
finest ever VIII coached by the rare talent of Jonny Singfield.
Teddies rowers have had the benefit of some exceptional
coaches and visionary Masters in Charge. Maitland Emmet
Right: The boathouse,
c.
1930.
Below: The opening of the new
boathouse, 1927.
Left: R.D. Hill and the 1954 1st VIII.
Below left: 1st VIII winning the Henley final vs
Oundle, 1959.
Below right: Tony Snell (far right) has been with
the Boat Club since 1965 – approaching 50 years.