Four exceptional young athletes from Holy Rosary School have returned from the United Kingdom after representing Rowing South Africa with distinction at two international regattas. Following their standout performances at the South African Schools Rowing Championships, Erin Beeming, Cleo de Keizer, Emilia Riccardi, and Kate Zillen were selected for the prestigious RowSA U16 Development Tour which spanned 10 days of high-level international competition.
The tour saw the girls competing at the legendary Dorney Lake, the same waters that hosted the 2012 Olympic Games. Testing themselves against elite British clubs and schools, the Holy Rosary School rowers displayed the grit and technical skill that has become a hallmark of the school’s rowing programme.
Commenting on the impressive achievement, this season’s Holy Rosary Chairperson Roberto Riccardi, said, “Seeing our girls line up at a venue like Dorney Lake is a proud moment for the entire Holy Rosary community. It’s one thing to dominate locally, but to see them adapt to international conditions and hold their own against top-tier British scullers shows the depth of talent we are nurturing here. Their success, particularly the gold in the JW16 Four, is a testament to their discipline and the many early mornings they have put in on the water.”
The Wallingford Regatta
The squad opened their international campaign at the Wallingford Regatta, where Cleo de Keizer and Erin Beeming secured a gold medal in the JW16 Four final. The school’s depth was further showcased as Kate Zillen, Cleo de Keizer, and Emilia Riccardi earned a commendable fourth place finish in the JW16 Quad final. Erin Beeming delivered a top five finish in the JW16 Eights, while Kate Zillen teamed up with Annabelle Logan of St Stithians to finish fifth in a competitive Senior Women’s Double heat.
The Junior Scullery Regatta
The momentum continued the following day at the Scullery Regatta, an event focused on the technical discipline of sculling. Emilia Riccardi delivered a standout individual performance in the single sculls, qualifying for and winning the B final. Cleo de Keizer also represented the school in the single sculls events. In the double sculls, Kate Zillen and Erin Beeming fought through to the B finals, where they secured a strong fourth place finish.
The school’s rowing expertise was also recognised through the selection of Coach Thabelo Masutha, who served as one of the official tour coaches, providing vital leadership to the national development squad abroad.
“We are not just building athletes; we are building ambassadors,” added Riccardi. “The way these girls conducted themselves, both on and off the water, made us incredibly proud. They have returned with invaluable experience that will undoubtedly lift the standard of our local Holy Rosary School Rowing Club.”
Riccardi concluded, “Congratulations Erin, Cleo, Emilia, Kate, and Coach Thabelo for flying the flag for South Africa and the Holy Rosary School Rowing Club both at home and abroad.”
For more information on the school’s rowing programme, visit www.holyrosaryschool.co.za.
About Holy Rosary School for Girls:
Based in Edenvale, Holy Rosary School has a long-standing tradition of excellence in both academics and sports. The HRS Rowing Club is one of the premier school rowing programmes in South Africa, consistently producing athletes for provincial and national selection.
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