Brockville Rowing Club athletes represent hometown at Canada’s premier high school rowing competition

Athletes from Brockville Rowing Club (BRC), Brockville Collegiate Institute (BCI), and Thousands Islands Secondary School (TISS) represented Brockville at Canada’s premier high school rowing competition in St. Catharines last week.

The Canadian Secondary Schools Rowing Association (CSSRA) Championships took place from Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 7, 2026 at the Royal Canadian Henley Course.

The competition brought together more than 130 schools and clubs from across Canada and the United States, detailed a BRC press release issued on Monday, June 8, 2026.

The BRC and its school partners, BCI and TISS entered five crews into the national championship regatta, with several athletes advancing through competitive heats and semifinals. The championship results are detailed below.

BCI Junior Women’s Coxed Four:

• Results — second in heat, third in semi-final and fifth overall in Canada. The crew consisted of Keaton McLean (coxswain), Frances Berry, Serena Bryan, Isabella St. John and Sloane Fournier. The Junior Women’s Four achieved the club’s highest finish of the championship, earning a place in the Grand Final and securing a fifth-place national ranking.

TISS Senior Women’s Quadruple Sculls:

• Results — fifth in heat. The crew consisted of Rose LaFrance, Gwyneth Jones, Amelia Ogilvie and Dakota Roffey.

TISS Senior Women’s Lightweight (63kg) Single:

• Results — third in heat, fifth in semi-final. Athlete: Rose LaFrance.

BCI Junior Women’s Double Sculls:

• Results — third in heat, fifth in semi-final. The crew consisted of Frances Berry and Isabella St. John.

TISS Senior Women’s Double Sculls:

• Results — fourth in heat. The crew consisted of Amelia Ogilvie and Dakota Roffey.

“This weekend demonstrated just how far these athletes have come… Many of our rowers are relatively new to the sport, yet they competed with confidence and determination against some of the strongest programs in the country,” said Head Coach Tyler St. John at the BCI Athletic Banquet on Wednesday, June 3, 2026.

“We are building more than fast boats, we are building leaders, teammates and young people who understand the value of commitment, hard work and supporting one another. Seeing Brockville represented in championship finals and recognized at the BCI Athletic Banquet reflects the momentum we are creating together.”

At the banquet, rowing athletes were recognized alongside traditional varsity sports for the first time in many years. Athletes recognized at the banquet included Serena Bryan (Club Spirit Award), Frances Berry (Most Improved Female Athlete), Owen Napier (Most Improved Male Athlete), and James St. Pierre (Most Flips Award).

“What makes me most proud is how much our team has grown. We push each other to be better every day, and we’ve become like a family. A few years ago, rowing wasn’t something many students talked about, and now we’re competing at a national championship and representing Brockville on one of the biggest stages in the sport,” said Berry.

“Rowing has taught me confidence, discipline and perseverance, and I’m excited to see even more young people discover what makes this sport so special.”

For Mandy Balsdon, parent of TISS athletic rower, the championships were a reminder of what can happen when young people are given opportunities to challenge themselves, support one another, and pursue excellence.

“Standing on the shoreline at CSSRA, surrounded by some of the biggest rowing programs in Canada, I couldn’t help but feel proud. These athletes come from a small community, but they showed they belong on that stage. The growth we’ve seen in our daughter and her teammates over the past year has been remarkable,” said Balsdon.

“They have learned to trust themselves, support one another and push beyond what they thought was possible. As parents, we are grateful to the coaches, volunteers and Brockville Rowing Club for creating an environment where young people can thrive. What is happening here is about much more than rowing, it’s about helping young people discover their potential.”

Community members interested in trying rowing are encouraged to explore the club’s upcoming summer camps and learn-to-row programs, the release stated.

For more information, visit the Brockville Rowing Club website.