The Legion 2027 Challenge

The Legion of Rowers has always had a simple purpose: support Masters rowing, create opportunities for Masters to compete and connect, and give back to the sport by supporting the next generation of New Zealand rowers.

Our Masters events across the North Island are an important part of this work. They bring rowers together, create competition and, through the income they generate, enable the Legion to support Under 19 rowers selected to represent New Zealand at the World Rowing Championships.

The 2027 Challenge - when to run the North Island Masters Championships?

Next year brings a challenge to our Masters calendar. The Rowing New Zealand National Masters Championships has been moved to May to take advantage of warmer weather. This creates a clash with our traditionally held North Island Masters Championships, also held in May. We have explored a number of options and, after much consideration, the most viable solution is to move the North Island Championships to Lake Karapiro on the weekend of 18 & 19 September 2027. The Regatta Committee is also looking at whether another event could be offered during the winter months, giving Masters rowers an additional opportunity to race.

Change is never undertaken lightly, but our priority is to ensure that the North Island Championships remain a strong and well-supported event on the Masters calendar.

Supporting the next generation

The Legion will continue its commitment to Under 19 New Zealand representatives, providing financial support to help these young rowers compete on the international stage. As funds allow, we would also like to broaden this support to other groups within rowing. There is something particularly satisfying about Masters rowers helping young athletes follow their own rowing ambitions. Many of us know the opportunities and friendships that rowing can provide, and supporting the next generation is one way we can help ensure those opportunities continue.

Giving Masters a voice

We also want to strengthen our connections with Masters Club groups throughout the North Island, along with strengthening our relationship with South Island Masters. As a membership organisation, the Legion needs to listen to its members, understand what is happening in Clubs and hear what Masters rowers want from their sport.

Our advocacy work has already produced some important outcomes. It contributed to the establishment of the Rowing New Zealand Masters working group, which has developed a five-year strategy for Masters rowing. We also successfully advocated for the rule change aligning the Masters novice year with the Masters Championships. These are positive steps, but there is more work to do.

So, as we look towards 2027, we encourage Masters rowers and Clubs to stay connected, share your views and get involved. The Legion is here to represent Masters rowing — and the stronger our collective voice, the more we can achieve for the sport we all enjoy.

The Legion 2026-26 Committee

President: Sue Wright

Past President: Lesley Milne

Treasurer:Shaun Adams

Regatta committee: Trish Fenton

Terry Tidbury

Eve Mulder

Lesley Milne    

Awards: Allan Vester

Sponsorship and new events: Rebecca Caroe