Head of the Schoolgirls (Victoria)


The Victorian Head of the Schoolgirls regatta is contested between girls at schools from all across the state of Victoria Australia. Schools from the Girls Sport Victoria and also Associated Public Schools of Victoria, as well as smaller school rowing groups which enter under a rowing club banner, compete in a range of events over 1000m for the Year 9 and Year 10 events or 1500m for the Open events.
Whereas in most rowing, coxswains can be of either sex, in the HOSG all coxswains must be female and attend the same school as the rowers of the crew that they are coxing.
The racing is usually held over an entire weekend in mid-March on the Barwon River in Geelong. In 2017 the regatta was held on the third weekend of March, with Open and Year 10 event heats on Friday the 17th, Year 9 event heats, all repechages and Open and Year 10 event semifinals on Saturday the 18th and Year 9 event semifinals and all finals on Sunday the 19th.
Head of the Schoolgirls is the largest single sex regatta in the southern hemisphere, with races starting every 3 minutes over the 3 days. In 2017, over 2100 girls participated in 48 events. In order to keep the regatta within a reasonable time frame and prevent large schools inundating the divisions of the smaller boats, girls are only permitted to race in one event over the weekend.

History

The first girl to row within the A.P.S. was a lone sculler from Geelong Grammar in 1972. There were 32 girls rowing by 1975, and in 1981, girls began competing at the Senior Regatta with Geelong Grammar, Geelong College, Melbourne Girls Grammar, Morongo Girls' College and Lauriston racing in 1st and 2nd Fours over 800m. Methodist Ladies' College, and Carey joined in 1982, with Carey boating a First Four in 1983.
1984 was the final year that non APS school girls participated in the APS Head of the River, with seven girls' crews rowing in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Four events. The following year saw the regatta revert to an all APS event, with only Geelong Grammar and Geelong College boating a First Four. Carey reappeared in the First Fours in 1986, the same year that Wesley joined, and with Caulfield joining in 1987, all five co-educational schools were boating a first four over 1500m. Around this time, the Principal of the Morongo Girls' College initiated a meeting that established the Head of School Girls' Regatta.

1984

Last year of schoolgirl participation in APS Head of the River. Principal of Morongo initiates meeting that establishes the HOSG Regatta.

1985

MLC host first HOSG in Ballarat - The Regatta consisted of Heats and Finals for 7 events in which 16 schools and 240 girls competed during a single day. There is no record of the number of spectators who attended. A strong cross wind at Ballarat made conditions very interesting for crews and officials.

1986

Ballarat Grammar and local schools host HOSG - 9 events.

1987

Wesley College host HOSG in Geelong - 9 events

1988

Lauriston host HOSG - 12 events

1989

Loreto Mandeville Hall host HOSG - 13 events

1990

MLC host HOSG - 14 events including Eights for first time

1991

MGGS host HOSG - 14 events. HOSG Regatta Committee incorporates as an Association.

1992

Morongo host HOSG - 18 events. For the first time, the regatta is held over 2 days.

1993

Genazzano host HOSG - 22 events including Quad Sculls for first time. Timing system introduced.

1994

St Catherine's host HOSG - 24 events.

1995

Lauriston host HOSG - 26 events.

1996

Carey Grammar host HOSG - 27 events, 38 schools and 1275 competitors

1997

Loreto Mandeville Hall host HOSG - 28 events. Active For Life becomes Sponsor of HOSG Regatta.

1998

Sacred Heart College host HOSG - 31 events.

1999

Firbank host HOSG - 34 events.

2000

MLC host HOSG - 34 events, 41 schools and 1474 competitors. Sykes Racing becomes naming rights sponsor of HOSG Regatta.

2001

Melbourne Girls Grammar again host the regatta - 34 Events. Professional Event Managers, SSDF, appointed by the host school. City of Greater Geelong provides support for temporary infrastructure costs at this Major Event.

2002

The Committee hosts the regatta, replacing the Host School arrangement. SSDF is again the Event Manager, with the Geelong Rowing Association assuming a significant support role. a Long term agreement is entered into between Head of the Schoolgirls Regatta Committee, the City of Greater Geelong, and the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority to maintain the regatta at Geelong.

2005

The 371 crews with their associated 2009 athletes came from 41 Victorian schools. Entries varied from a lone sculler and coach to 195 participants from a large girls' school. There were 28 fastest times recorded during the two days racing. For the first time Rowing Victoria carried out the dual role of providing the officials and being the Event Manager.

2007

On the realigned Barwon River course the increased use of repechage for 1500m crews was a great success and the new Judges' Box proved its worth. There was a noticeable increase in single scull entries.

2008

New Events to the program were the senior third eight.

2009

New Events to the program were the year 9 and 10 division five quad sculls.

2013

New Events to the program were the year 9 and 10 division six quad sculls.

2014

New Events to the program were the year 9 and 10 division seven quad sculls. This year was also the last year the regatta was held purely on the Saturday and Sunday.

2015

Changes to the regatta format included moving the Open event heats to Friday afternoon.

2017

New Events to the program were the Open Double Scull and Year 9 division eight quad scull. Changes to the regatta format included the introduction of exhaustive finals for year 10 events.

2018

According to the 2018 HOSG regatta Bulletin, the regatta format was updated to provide for exhaustive finals for all crews, at all year levels. If necessary, the addition of a fifth round of racing was added to the program to a number of events with more than 16 competitors. The open 8 division 4 was also added to the program for the first time. Unfortunately due to extremely windy conditions, the finals day of racing on Sunday was largely cancelled. No A Final races were rowed in the 2018 edition, with all racing being cancelled after just five year 9 Coxed Quad scull minor finals had been held. The HOSG committee subsequently provided a specially minted a special 2018 A Finallist Medal for all members of crews who achieved that position.

2019

The 2019 edition of the HOSG regatta was the first to hold the exhaustive finals for all divisions and all boat classes of all year levels. There were 473 races over three days including 151 races on the Sunday, finals day. Over 2100 athletes competed, in 48 events, making it one of the largest HOSG entry fields.

Location

The first HOSG was held in 1985 at Ballarat with seven events, and 240 competitors from 16 schools. In 1987, the event moved to Geelong where it has been held each year since.
In 2018, the HOSG organizing committee awarded the rights to hold the regatta in Geelong for a further 5-year period from 2020-2024 inclusive.

Management

Each year a different school would host the regatta, but as it grew in size and popularity, the Head of the Schoolgirl Regatta Committee decided to contract the event management and official duties. 2005 was the inaugural year in which Rowing Victoria conducted the regatta on behalf of the HOSG regatta committee. Throughout the history of the regatta, the boat racing officials have been through Rowing Victoria.

Events

Racing at the Head of the Schoolgirls is in Eights, Coxed Quad Sculls, Coxed Fours, Double Sculls and Single Sculls across multiple divisions and year levels. Additional divisions have been added over the years to accommodate the increased popularity of schoolgirl rowing. As of 2018 the regatta offers the following:

Year 9 (1000m)

Coxed Quad Scull ;
Coxed Four ;
Single Scull

Year 10 (1000m)

Coxed Quad Scull ;
Coxed Four ;
Single Scull

Open (1500m)

Eight ;
Coxed Quad Scull ;
Coxed Four ;
Double Scull
Single Scull

Morongo Medals

Those girls who have competed in the Head of the Schoolgirls Regatta for three or more years, and are in Year 12, are eligible to receive a Morongo Medal. These medals have been struck to commemorate Morongo Girls' College's contribution to the HOSG as a competitor before closing and to recognize its supporters' club, the Chirnside Club, as a valued contributor to the Schoolgirls. The medal's inscription - "Sint lucernae ardentes" is translated as "Keep the lamp burning".

Results

Female School Eight Open Div 1


FSCH8+O1


YearWinner2nd3rd
1990Wesley College
1991MLC
1992Genazzano
1993Lauriston
1994Geelong Grammar
1995Geelong Grammar
1996Geelong Grammar
1997Geelong Grammar
1998Geelong Grammar
1999Geelong Grammar
2000Geelong Grammar
2001Geelong Grammar
2002Geelong CollegeGeelong GrammarMelbourne Girls Grammar
2003Geelong CollegeGeelong GrammarMLC
2004Geelong CollegeSt Catherine'sCarey
2005MLCGeelong GrammarMelbourne Girls Grammar
2006MLCGeelong CollegeMelbourne Girls Grammar
2007MLCGeelong GrammarGeelong College
2008MLCSt Catherine'sGeelong Grammar
2009Geelong GrammarSt Catherine'sMLC
2010MLCGeelong CollegeGeelong Grammar
2011Melbourne Girls GrammarGenazzanoMLC
2012Melbourne Girls GrammarMLCGenazzano
2013GenazzanoMLCMelbourne Girls Grammar
2014MLCLoreto ToorakMelbourne Girls Grammar
2015Geelong GrammarLoreto ToorakMLC
2016Geelong GrammarLoreto ToorakSt Catherine's
2017MLCFirbankLoreto Toorak

Female School Coxed Quad Scull Open Div 1



FSCH4X+O1


YearWinner2nd3rd
1993Genazzano
1994Genazzano
1995Genazzano
1996MLC
1997MLC
1998MLC
1999Genazzano
2000Sacred Heart
2001Sacred Heart
2002MLCLoreto ToorakFirbank
2003Loreto ToorakFirbankSacred Heart
2004FirbankSacred HeartRuyton
2005Sacred HeartFirbankLoreto Toorak
2006FirbankLoreto ToorakGenazzano
2007FirbankGenazzanoSacred Heart
2008GenazzanoSacred HeartLoreto Toorak
2009GenazzanoSacred HeartGippsland Grammar
2010Gippsland GrammarSacred HeartRuyton
2011Sacred HeartLoreto ToorakRuyton
2012Loreto ToorakSacred HeartRuyton
2013FirbankRuytonKorowa
2014FirbankKorowaRuyton
2015RuytonStrathconaFirbank
2016RuytonStrathconaSacred Heart
2017RuytonSacred HeartKorowa

Female School Four Open Div 1


FSCH4+O1


YearWinner2nd3rd
1985MLC
1986Geelong Grammar
1987Wesley College
1988Geelong Grammar
1989Morongo
1990Geelong Grammar
1991Geelong Grammar
1992Geelong College
1993Lauriston
1994Lauriston
1995Lauriston
1996Geelong Grammar
1997Geelong Grammar
1998Lauriston
1999MLC
2000Lauriston
2001Ballarat Grammar
2002Ballarat GrammarBallarat & ClarendonBallarat High
2003Ballarat GrammarLauristonBallarat & Clarendon
2004Ballarat GrammarLauristonBallarat High
2005Ballarat GrammarBallarat & ClarendonBallarat High
2006Ballarat GrammarKorowaLauriston
2007Ballarat GrammarKorowaToorak
2008Ballarat & ClarendonBallarat GrammarKardinia
2009LauristonBallarat GrammarBallarat & Clarendon
2010LauristonBallarat & ClarendonToorak
2011LauristonBallarat GrammarPLC
2012Ballarat GrammarMelbourne Girls' CollegeShelford
2013LauristonBallarat GrammarBallarat & Clarendon
2014Ballarat & ClarendonBallarat GrammarLauriston
2015Melbourne Girls' CollegeBallarat & ClarendonKardinia
2016Ballarat GrammarLauristonBallarat High
2017Loreto BallaratMelbourne Girls' CollegeDamascus

Female School Double Scull Open Div 1



FSCH2XO1


YearWinner2nd3rd
2017MaribyrnongRuytonFintona

Female School Single Scull Open Div 1



FSCH1XO1


YearWinner2nd3rd
1985Ballarat High
1986Ballarat High
1987
1988Lowther Hall
1989Korowa
1990Lauriston
1991Loreto Toorak
1992Lauriston
1993Fintona
1994Toorak
1995Firbank
1996Gippsland Grammar
1997Matthew Flinders
1998Strathmore Secondary College
1999Strathmore Secondary College
2000Geelong High
2001Canterbury
2002CanterburyMelbourne Girls GrammarWesley College
2003Lowther HallMLCMelbourne Girls' College
2004Brighton SecondaryFirbankKardinia
2005MLCGeelong HighSt Columba's
2006Melbourne Girls' CollegeStarMLC
2007Melbourne Girls' CollegeMelbourne Girls' CollegePascoe Vale
2008Melbourne Girls' CollegeMelbourne Girls' CollegeMLC
2009Caulfield GrammarMLCSt Columba's
2010Mentone Girls' SchoolSt Columba'sEmmanuel College
2011Melbourne Girls' CollegeWesley CollegeSt Columba's
2012Melbourne Girls' CollegeClonard CollegeSt Columba's
2013St Columba'sPascoe ValeChristian College
2014Sacred Heart, YarrawongaCAE MelbourneMelbourne Girls' College
2015Lowther HallMelbourne Girls' CollegeCorowa High School
2016KardiniaMelbourne Girls' CollegeFirbank
2017Melbourne Girls' CollegeGippsland GrammarBrighton Secondary College

Overall

The school that has the highest medal tally for the regatta is deemed to be the Head of the Schoolgirls Champions. While no trophy is awarded for this feat, it is a source of great pride for the recipient school.

HOSG Champions


YearWinner2nd3rd
2002MLCMelbourne Girls GrammarSt Catherine's
2003MLCSt Catherine'sCarey
2004MLCGenazzanoCarey
2005MLCMelbourne Girls GrammarFirbank
2006MLCGenazzanoCarey
2007MLCGenazzanoLoreto Toorak
2008MLCGenazzanoMelbourne Girls Grammar
2009MLCLoreto ToorakGenazzano
2010GenazzanoMLCLauriston
2011GenazzanoLoreto ToorakMelbourne Girls' College
2012Loreto ToorakCareyMLC
2013Loreto ToorakCareyGenazzano
2014CareyFirbankMLC
2015MLCLoreto ToorakMelbourne Girls' College
2016Loreto ToorakMLCFirbank
2017MLCLoreto ToorakSt Catherine's