Rowing Academy

The Cathedral School has a proud reputation as one of the leading rowing schools in Queensland, with several past students furthering their competition at a National level.

Rowing is available for boys and girls from Year 7 through to Year 12. Training is held on the Ross River which runs through our beautiful suburb of Mundingburra, a short walk from the school campus.

Rowing Academy

REGISTRATIONS

Learn to Row:
Week 2, Term 1 – Years 7/8

• Information sent by email at the start of term.
• Learn to Row is also open to Year 9 to Year 12 students new to the school or program.

Squad Registration:
Week 5, Term 1

• Invitations sent to current Squad members and Learn to Row participants who meet the eligibility requirements.

SEASON DATES

Learn to Row:
• Years 7/8 Learn to Row: Term 1, Week 5-9

Boys – Wednesday Afternoons
Girls – Friday Afternoons
Boys & Girls – Saturday Mornings

Squad:
• Squad: Term 2 to Term 3
• Local season ends: Head of the River Regatta – 30 August 2026
• QLD School Rowing Championships Team – 17-22 September 2026

AGE GROUP

Year 7 to Year 12

COST

Learn to Row:
$250 TCS Fee plus $80 Townsville and JCU Rowing Club (JCU) membership.

Squad Rowers: 

$350 per school term plus $370 JCU membership (Rowers), $156 JCU membership (Coxswains) for two (2) terms ( Terms 2 and 3).

Inclusions: 

• All training sessions with a qualified coach – including on the water and land training sessions at school.
• Use of rowing equipment.

Additional Costs: 

• Rowing attire.
• Cost to attend Away Regattas.

SCHEDULE

Training:
• Training schedule varies for different age groups, with the number of training sessions increasing by year level.
• The local regatta season includes four regattas in Townsville.

Events:
• Local All Schools Regatta 1 – 24 May 2026
• Local All Schools Regatta 2 – 7 June 2026
• Central Queensland Schools Regatta 25-29 June 2026
• Local All Schools Regatta 3 – 2 August 2026
• North Queensland Schools Regatta -15-16 August 2026
• TASRA Head of the River Regatta – 30 August 2026

Rowing Coach:
Jamie Forbes

Jamie comes to the program with a genuine love for rowing and a strong belief that the sport is about far more than fitness or strength. It’s a way for students to form lasting friendships and develop as people. Originally from the United States, she spent five seasons rowing at the Division I level, including two years in the First Varsity 8. Those experiences showed her how teamwork, trust, and shared effort translate into personal growth both on and off the water.  After completing her athletic career, Jamie began coaching as an assistant at a private preparatory school in the U.S., where she discovered the joy of guiding young rowers through both technical challenges and the camaraderie that develops on the water. More recently, she has been fortunate to share those lessons with crews in Australia, adapting her methods to suit a new environment while keeping the core belief that every athlete thrives when they feel supported and connected.

Holding a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Teaching, Jamie treats coaching as an extension of education, clear, supportive instruction paired with consistent encouragement. She is accredited in both the United States and Australia, allowing her to design safe, inclusive programs grounded in evidence‑based practice. Her philosophy centers on listening and learning alongside her athletes, emphasizing steady, incremental technical improvements while nurturing a team culture where friendships flourish. Jamie’s goal is to help each rower become stronger on the water and more confident, collaborative individuals beyond it.


Rowing Coordinator:
Katrina Wilshire

Contact:
rowing@cathedral.qld.edu.au

Enquire
REGISTER TO RECEIVE YOUR ENROLMENT PACK VIA EMAIL.