Scotch College

The 'Drew Ginn' christened

In an emotional ceremony in the Quadrangle, Mr Dennis Ginn christened the 1st VIII's new boat the 'Drew Ginn', named after the first Old Scotch Collegian to win an Olympic gold medal.

After the christening, Drew, who rowed in the seven seat of Scotch's winning Head of the River crew in 1992, gave an inspiring speech to the Senior School.

He said:

'What do you say when the school honours you in this way by christening a boat after you?

Well, in 1992 when we won Head of the River I thought that was the biggest thing I had ever achieved in sport. Then getting to realize a dream by going to the Olympic Games, and not just participating but being successful, was by far the biggest thing I had ever accomplished in my life.

But today, standing in front of all the future Scotch Collegians it's hard not to get emotional. I suppose the reason why I am standing here is because I was given opportunities when I was here at school, and after school, and I wasn't scared of taking them. If you get an opportunity that looks so good and you don't go for it - you're crazy. Big deal if you miss out - when you take it, you grab it and run with it. If it doesn't work out in the end it doesn't matter - because you have put everything into it.

I would never have made it to the Olympic Games if I didn't back myself, and if I wasn't determined and didn't train hard. But it was the opportunity, that I got when I was at this school being coached by James Tomkins and Laurie Malcolm and Paul McGann (then head coach) and Laurie Stokes in the 4th crew that really began it all for me. Getting to know James and Nick Green, Michael McKay and Andrew Cooper in 1992., and seeing them win in gold in Barcelona was the thing that capped it off for me. But I thought hey, I'm a Scotch Collegian I can do anything - not just because I was a Scotch Collegian but because at this school the great thing is that we learn to believe in ourselves. So you had better take the opportunity and thankfully, I did. I didn't look back. Seeing those guys win in 1992 and given a chance to win again in 1996 is by far the best thing that has ever happened.

And this boat, the 'Drew Ginn', the fabulous craft it is, I hope it goes very very fast for the guys in it, and I hope they do very very well. I hope that all of you at the school get to enjoy some of the success it may have, because the Head of the River really is one of the biggest days in the school calendar. I can't remember any time back in 1992 more than when I went down to the Head of the River.

You just get lifted by the emotion, lifted by the atmosphere - the whole day, whether you are a spectator or a competitor, is just fantastic. For all the school kids that go down there to watch and cheer - cheer well, cheer loud so that they can all hear out on the water.

For the guys rowing in the crew I wish to you all the best and go fast.

Thank you.'