In recent years, traditional team games have been joined by numerous other athletic activities in schools, and familiarisation with this growing number of sports gives young people the opportunity to spend their exercise time enjoying a more varied menu than their predecessors had.

However, this variety is by no means new: at Monkton, the Squash courts, the swimming pool, tennis courts, etc., have been available and widely used for leisure, by many generations. The writer well remembers Sunday afternoon games of Fives with Dick Knight, and one particular game of squash with someone destined to become a rowing international.

Alongside this freedom for individuals to enjoy the marvellous facilities available in and around the school for recreations and pleasure, there are also opportunties to take part in team sports which have so much to offer, even if in early days of training and learning to work with each other progress can be slow, and enjoyment may not be immediate.

As an antidote to rowing at Sydney, I watched a session of synchonised swimming, thinking that it would be of little interest. Indeed, I had in mind that I might write a damning article about it, poking fun at other people's sport. In fact, the athletes taking part must have been as dedicated in their training as any other competitor, and standards were high, because of training, persistence, skill and talent.

So, whether we row or do synchronised swimming or diving, or clay pigeon shooting or hammer throwing, disciplined training is called for. But let us not lose the enjoyment which goes hand in hand with commitment.

Monkton has a splendid new swimming pool. Are there plans to add synchronised swimming to the list of sports on offer? Or will there be continued encouragement to play to our strengths and traditions?

Julian Bewick - December 2000

This year the aims for the 1st VIII will be high! Without doubt, rowing is a full-time occupation! Elite crews train roughly three times a day, 6 days a week. As a school crew, our priorities are spread over a range of things, sometimes even including work, so our time is limited for training. In spite of this, we are all aware that time training together is a powerful tool in our efforts to improve as a crew.

Although we can't train 'full time', we do have many experienced rowers and rowers who have worked together for a few years. Three have raced in the 1st VIII for two years already and seven (including these three) rowed in last year's 1st VIII.

Last year was a good year, where much learning took place and led to dramatic improvement. Although we won a few pots, we never took off as a major race-winning crew. We were always just out of range.

I believe the achievements of last year's crew are now a great foundation for the success of this season.

In preparation for this year's Olympics, there was an intense four year period of training/waiting for that 5½ minutes of glory and passion.

It is my aim to bring passion to the eight elite members, Monkton 1st VIII and to take training to another level. Already having Rowley Douglas coach us, was a step up and a great boost for our morale for this year. There will have been two years of training for this year and Monkton's Olympic equivalent - NATIONAL SCHOOLS. This year will be GOLD!

Joel Jameson - Captain of Boats 2000/2001