Under 19 Females and Reserve Grade Females:
We are still hearing a small amount of push back in some locations about the introduction of the new female divisions. First thing to say is we need to get over it, this is being fair minded and handed to our female members and it is the correct decision.
Arguments like the carnival will now be longer are a bit like the curtains fading or the cows going off the milk in QLD with daylight saving. If you have 24 female crews and race three rounds of 6 crews that is 12 races. Doesn’t matter if they are in two divisions it is still 12 races so you are adding one extra final.
If you use imagination these new divisions can race as part of another group, you will always have the ability to mix and change to make it work. The important thing is that we are seeing a lift in young female rowers and the Reserve grade division for females like the males will offer an ability to extend a rowers career lifespan because they can row where they are comfortable.
Luckily in most places the two new divisions have been welcomed and the participation numbers we talk about in the first article are testament to the fact that this was the right decision for the future.
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