Wednesday 21 May 2025
As part of our April pre-season training block, the First XV traded the rugby pitch for the Tāmaki River, stepping into the world of rowing for an afternoon session led by King’s Head of Rowing, Mark Clemo, and his coaching team. It was an unfamiliar environment for most of our boys, deliberately so, and one that offered real value beyond the physical challenge.
Following a highly successful season for the King’s Rowing Programme, it felt fitting to enter their domain and learn from a code that shares our values of discipline, teamwork, and resilience. For our players, it was a reminder that success doesn’t come by chance, instead it’s built through structure, self-discipline, and shared accountability, regardless of the sport.
With experienced rowers placed in each eight to guide the way, our boys had to quickly adapt, listen, and trust one another. Synchronising in the boat demanded not only fitness but humility, understanding that power means nothing without timing and cohesion. It stripped back the game-day persona and exposed a different kind of leadership.
From our perspective, the session was invaluable, placing players in a position where they weren’t the experts, where they had to rely on each other, take feedback openly, and work through frustration to make it work. For many, just getting to grips with the rowing machine and staying in time on the water was a steep learning curve, but discomfort and growth go hand in hand.
In our First XV environment, we talk a lot about pushing limits, so doing so in a different context helped bring that concept to life. The afternoon was a great success, so a huge thank you to Mark and the rowing team for hosting us.
Ian Robinson - Head Coach, King’s College First XV