Athletic Teams
Rowing is a real team sport with high expectations in terms of physical fitness and commitment to the crew. At Vancouver College, our mission is to provide the opportunity for students to learn to row, experience a high level of competition, and take pride in becoming part of a team.
The program consists of approximately 45 athletes from grades 8-12 rowing at the Novice, Junior Varsity and Varsity levels. The season starts in November with land training at the school and then moves to False Creek in the spring. The athletes attend regattas on both the Mainland and Vancouver Island. Each year, selected crews attend the National Championships held in St. Catharines, Ontario, where several past VC crews have proven very successful.
Besides competing at the high school level, many of our graduates have gone on to row at top universities and represent Canada internationally.
In celebration of Vancouver College Rowing Program’s 35th anniversary in our school’s centenary year, our rowing parents are organizing a special banquet on the 1st of April at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. For more information, please visit our Rowing Banquet page.
Athletics on Social Media
VC100 Stories
“Being a Fighting Irish student-athlete teaches students about success and failure, leadership and sacrifice, and how to find stamina and resilience when faced with challenges. Facilities like the High Performance Training Center ensure students can perform to their full potential, both on and off the field.”
Anyone fortunate enough to have attended a recent Vancouver College Football Game or the Saints Basketball Series will know that the legacy of the Vancouver College Cheer team lives on through students today.
The history of rowing at Vancouver College began in 1988 when, on an activity day, teacher Terry Shea took a group of students to the Vancouver Rowing Club to try their hand at the sport.
Although VC’s student athletes have participated and excelled in a number of different sports, for many, football, the sport with the longest history at the school, is most closely associated with the school.
O’Hagan Field and its predecessor have always served more than just a sporting purpose. For some boys, the field provided a contemplative refuge from the pressures of school.
For students, the Finnegan, rich in history, goes beyond a call to play hard and win. This icon serves as a reminder that to be a true Fighting Irish, they must fight hard not only on the field and court, but also and support one another outside of their sporting endeavours.