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Hillmorton High School Secures Emerging School Rowing Scholarship
$10,000 Investment to Support School's Growing Rowing Programme thanks to Milford Foundation
Hillmorton High School has emerged victorious as the inaugural recipient of the 2025 Milford Foundation Emerging School Rowing Scholarship, securing $10,000 to support their fledgling rowing programme. This significant investment represents a crucial milestone in the school's journey to establish itself in New Zealand's rowing community.
The scholarship, jointly created by the Milford Foundation and Rowing NZ, specifically targets schools developing their rowing programmes from the ground up. Hillmorton High School exemplifies the initiative's mission, having launched its programme recently and demonstrating remarkable dedication to its growth.
"This scholarship aligns perfectly with our mission to strengthen New Zealand communities through youth and education," says Sarah Norrie, Chair of the Milford Foundation Trustee Board.
Hillmorton High School's path to having a rowing programme began with an unexpected moment of inspiration. Lisa Manson, the Health, Physical Education and Outdoor Education Teacher at the school, brought the excitement of Olympic racing into her Year 10 classroom. What started as a simple viewing exercise evolved into something extraordinary as her students found themselves captivated by the sport. Their enthusiasm proved contagious, inspiring Lisa to transform this initial spark of interest into action - re-establishing the school's rowing programme for the first time since the 1970s.
The $10,000 cash scholarship will address several critical challenges facing the emerging programme. "The major barrier we have is cost." explains Coach Connor Fraher. The funding will be strategically allocated across multiple areas and will cover:
- Uniform costs and equipment
- Travel expenses to regattas
- Additional rowing machines to enhance training efficiency
- Contribution towards club fees
Currently operating with just two rowing machines at school, the team faces logistical challenges during training sessions. Students often have to wait for their turn to use equipment during essential training time. The scholarship funding will help address this equipment shortage, enabling more efficient training schedules and better preparation for competitions.
One of the senior students from Hillmorton talked about how being recognised and rewarded with the scholarship is a big deal for the school “Obviously, our school doesn't have a lot of resources. We've kind of had to go above and beyond to try and do what we can to make this school rowing what it is.”
A key factor in Hillmorton's success has been its partnership with Union Rowing Club. This collaboration provides students with an authentic club experience, setting them apart from other Christchurch schools. As Lisa Manson notes, "It provides a real grassroots rowing club experience that none of the other kids in Christchurch get – it's a real opportunity."
The programme's impact extends far beyond athletic achievement. Rowing NZ CEO Simon Wickham emphasises that "commitment, teamwork, perseverance, self-responsibility and self-discipline" are among the invaluable skills students develop through the sport. These attributes translate directly into academic success and personal growth.
Sarah from the Milford Foundation shares the same view as Simon on this; she doesn’t see the scholarship as just an investment in sport “We're investing in the next generation of leaders, teammates, and role models for Aotearoa.”
The students are ecstatic to be backed by Milford, with one student acknowledging the wider partnership Milford has with Rowing NZ, “Milford is a poignant part of rowing. Whenever I'm tuned into the livestreams, I'm always aware that Milford is there. So knowing that we're backed by such a big sponsor of rowing is really, really cool.”
Hillmorton High School's selection demonstrates that with dedication and the right support, any school can establish a successful rowing programme. Their journey serves as inspiration for other emerging programmes, showing that passion and commitment can overcome resource constraints. As Sarah from the Milford Foundation encourages, "Absolutely go for it", – a message that resonates strongly with Hillmorton's story of perseverance and achievement.
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- Home
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- School Rowing
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- Hillmorton High School...
Hillmorton High School Secures Emerging School Rowing Scholarship
$10,000 Investment to Support School's Growing Rowing Programme thanks to Milford Foundation
Hillmorton High School has emerged victorious as the inaugural recipient of the 2025 Milford Foundation Emerging School Rowing Scholarship, securing $10,000 to support their fledgling rowing programme. This significant investment represents a crucial milestone in the school's journey to establish itself in New Zealand's rowing community.
The scholarship, jointly created by the Milford Foundation and Rowing NZ, specifically targets schools developing their rowing programmes from the ground up. Hillmorton High School exemplifies the initiative's mission, having launched its programme recently and demonstrating remarkable dedication to its growth.
"This scholarship aligns perfectly with our mission to strengthen New Zealand communities through youth and education," says Sarah Norrie, Chair of the Milford Foundation Trustee Board.
Hillmorton High School's path to having a rowing programme began with an unexpected moment of inspiration. Lisa Manson, the Health, Physical Education and Outdoor Education Teacher at the school, brought the excitement of Olympic racing into her Year 10 classroom. What started as a simple viewing exercise evolved into something extraordinary as her students found themselves captivated by the sport. Their enthusiasm proved contagious, inspiring Lisa to transform this initial spark of interest into action - re-establishing the school's rowing programme for the first time since the 1970s.
The $10,000 cash scholarship will address several critical challenges facing the emerging programme. "The major barrier we have is cost." explains Coach Connor Fraher. The funding will be strategically allocated across multiple areas and will cover:
- Uniform costs and equipment
- Travel expenses to regattas
- Additional rowing machines to enhance training efficiency
- Contribution towards club fees
Currently operating with just two rowing machines at school, the team faces logistical challenges during training sessions. Students often have to wait for their turn to use equipment during essential training time. The scholarship funding will help address this equipment shortage, enabling more efficient training schedules and better preparation for competitions.
One of the senior students from Hillmorton talked about how being recognised and rewarded with the scholarship is a big deal for the school “Obviously, our school doesn't have a lot of resources. We've kind of had to go above and beyond to try and do what we can to make this school rowing what it is.”
A key factor in Hillmorton's success has been its partnership with Union Rowing Club. This collaboration provides students with an authentic club experience, setting them apart from other Christchurch schools. As Lisa Manson notes, "It provides a real grassroots rowing club experience that none of the other kids in Christchurch get – it's a real opportunity."
The programme's impact extends far beyond athletic achievement. Rowing NZ CEO Simon Wickham emphasises that "commitment, teamwork, perseverance, self-responsibility and self-discipline" are among the invaluable skills students develop through the sport. These attributes translate directly into academic success and personal growth.
Sarah from the Milford Foundation shares the same view as Simon on this; she doesn’t see the scholarship as just an investment in sport “We're investing in the next generation of leaders, teammates, and role models for Aotearoa.”
The students are ecstatic to be backed by Milford, with one student acknowledging the wider partnership Milford has with Rowing NZ, “Milford is a poignant part of rowing. Whenever I'm tuned into the livestreams, I'm always aware that Milford is there. So knowing that we're backed by such a big sponsor of rowing is really, really cool.”
Hillmorton High School's selection demonstrates that with dedication and the right support, any school can establish a successful rowing programme. Their journey serves as inspiration for other emerging programmes, showing that passion and commitment can overcome resource constraints. As Sarah from the Milford Foundation encourages, "Absolutely go for it", – a message that resonates strongly with Hillmorton's story of perseverance and achievement.
