Gippsland’s rising rowing talent has delivered an outstanding season, with local athletes achieving strong results across school, state and national competition.
Leading the way was Mia Kantzides of Gippsland Grammar, who produced a consistent season of top-level performances. Alongside fellow Gippsland Grammar
rowers Obi Vardy, Coen Cook and Eloise Tavasci, Kantzides helped highlight the strength of the region’s rowing pathway.
A standout story was Joseph Dwyer, who began his rowing journey at Gippsland Grammar before progressing to Xavier College in Melbourne. Racing in Xavier’s First VIII, Dwyer enjoyed a successful season, collecting multiple podium finishes and placing third in the tightly contested APS Head of the River. The crew went on to finish fourth at the Australian Rowing Championships in both the
Open Schoolboys VIII and
under-19 categories.
Dwyer’s form earned him selection in the Victorian Under 18 VIII, where he rowed in the stroke seat at the Interstate Pathway Regatta at the Sydney International Regatta Centre in Penrith. The Victorian crew claimed gold, finishing ahead of Western Australia and New South Wales.
In total, five Gippsland representatives and a coach featured at the Interstate Pathway Regatta. Vardy and Cook raced in the men’s quad, Kantzides and Tavasci in the women’s quad, while Dwyer was part of the men’s eight. They were supported by Gippsland Grammar coach Brendan Scott,
who was selected as a coach of the quad crew.
The group’s success capped off a strong year across multiple events. Vardy and Cook performed well at the Victorian State Championships, the NSW Schoolboy Head of the River and the Australian Rowing Championships, while Tavasci and Kantzides impressed throughout the season, including at the Head of the Schoolgirls in Geelong.
All four Gippsland Grammar rowers also returned from Tasmania with national titles, further strengthening the region’s growing reputation as a breeding ground for elite rowing talent.
With both Dwyer and Kantzides from East Gippsland, the local community has reason to celebrate as the region continues to make its mark on the national rowing stage.
