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St Benedict’s Darryn Roff Elected President Of South African Schools Rowing Union

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on St Benedict’s Darryn Roff Elected President Of South African Schools Rowing Union

St Benedict’s College is proud to announce that Darryn Roff, the school’s Head of Rowing, has been elected President of the South African Schools Rowing Union. This appointment marks another significant milestone in Roff’s distinguished career in rowing, which spans nearly three decades. Roff takes over from Mr Andre Oosthuysen who has been at the helm for an incredible 14 years.

Roff’s journey in rowing began in 1997 as a U14 rower at St Benedict’s College. His passion for the sport culminated in winning the First Eight at the South African Schools Rowing Union Championships in 2003. Following his time as a student-athlete, Roff has dedicated his career to developing rowing talent at various levels.

Commenting on his appointment, Roff says, “I’m honoured to take on this role and hope to contribute to developing school rowing throughout South Africa. By uniting the provinces, we’ll strengthen the sport and create more opportunities for young rowers. My goal is to break down barriers to participation and develop sustainable programmes for both rowing schools and junior clubs. If we remove obstacles for our youth, both within and outside of the school setting – SASRU can become a pivotal driver of transformation and development in South African rowing.”

His impressive leadership credentials include serving as Chairperson of the Gauteng Schools Rowing Federation for eight consecutive years (2018-2025) after two years as Vice Chairperson. Roff’s national coaching experience is equally notable, having been appointed as a National Rowing Coach for World Championships in  2011, 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Most recently, Roff has served as both U19 Team Manager and National Coach for World Championships in 2022, 2023 and 2024, demonstrating his continued commitment to excellence in rowing at the highest levels.

Under Roff’s leadership, St Benedict’s College has maintained its position as South Africa’s top boys’ rowing school for an unprecedented 31 consecutive years, a testament to his coaching philosophy that emphasises hard work, scientific training methods, and unwavering dedication.

Dave Jeffrey, College Head at St Benedict’s, commented on Roff’s appointment: “Darryn’s election to this prestigious position reflects his exceptional contribution to rowing in South Africa. His expertise has been instrumental in our school’s rowing success, and we’re confident he’ll bring the same dedication and vision to his new role.”

About St Benedict’s College:

St Benedict’s College is a leading boys’ school in Johannesburg, recognised for academic excellence and sporting achievement. The school has maintained its position as South Africa’s top boys’ rowing school for 31 consecutive years, demonstrating an unparalleled legacy in the sport.

The Spirit of Rowing Thrives at the 2025 SA Schools Rowing Championships

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on The Spirit of Rowing Thrives at the 2025 SA Schools Rowing Championships

This past weekend, the SA Schools Rowing Championships, proudly partnered with Rand Merchant Bank (RMB), brought together young athletes, dedicated coaches, and passionate supporters from across South Africa for an unforgettable showcase of school rowing. Held from Friday to Sunday at Roodeplaat Dam, the event saw top schools from every province competing at the highest level.

With thrilling races in every category, the championship was a testament to the skill, resilience, and spirit of South African rowing. From the first heat to the final sprint, athletes gave it their all, proving once again the strength of school rowing in the country. Whether they reached the podium or not, every rower contributed to an incredible weekend of competition and camaraderie.

Among the standout performances, St Andrew’s Girls School dominated in the women’s first and second quadruple sculls, securing gold in both events. In the men’s second eight division, St Stithians Boys College took top honours, while the highly anticipated final race of the weekend—the men’s first eight—ended with a well-earned victory for St Benedict’s College.

Rowing South Africa extends its heartfelt appreciation to everyone who made the event possible, from the rowers and coaches to the families and supporters who brought energy and encouragement to the banks of the dam. A special thank you goes to RMB for its ongoing commitment to youth development and the sport of rowing, helping to shape the next generation of South African athletes.

“RMB has been a proud partner to Rowing South Africa for almost 10 years—supporting the sport from grassroots and school levels all the way to universities and the pinnacle of the RMB National Squad. This year’s SA Schools Championships was another incredible showcase of the talent, dedication, and community that make this sport so powerful. It’s exciting to think that among this weekend’s competitors were future Olympians,” said Michael Edwards, Sponsorships Marketing Lead at RMB.

Reflecting on the event, Rowing South Africa President Ben Burnand added, “What a weekend! We witnessed incredible racing and a fantastic sense of community. From Cape Point to Gaborone, families and friends came together to support an event run to world-class standards by our dedicated officials. It was an honour to have Gauteng Executive Member Ms. Sheila Peters and Michael Edwards from RMB with us—not only to hand out trophies but to truly experience the event alongside us. A standout moment for me was seeing the Germiston and St. Alban’s first doubles crews arm in arm, flexing their biceps for a photo—as you do at that age—perfectly capturing how sport brings people together.”

The RMB SA Schools Rowing Championships not only celebrated the country’s top young rowing talent but also reinforced the values of sportsmanship, teamwork, and passion for the sport. With another successful championship in the books, the rowing community looks ahead with excitement to the continued growth of South African school rowing.

For more information, visit https://rowsa.co.za/.