Boat naming ceremony, 21 March 2015

At the Rowing Dinner on 21 March 2015 we named a Burton single scull, “Matt & Pat", in honour of old boys Patrick Desmond (2009) and Matthew Ling (2009).

It was an opportunity to recognise their contribution and support for High Rowing over the years. They rowed for 6 years, from 2005 until graduating in 2009. In the junior quads they were always known as the stroke/coxswain combo in the same crew. In Y10, Pat went straight into the coxswain seat of the 1st VIII for a record three years. Matt joined him in the 6 seat of the 1st VIII in 2009.

In their final year, they were held in high esteem with leadership roles in the school - Pat was School Captain and Matt was Captain of Boats.

They both returned to the sheds to coach for two seasons – 2010 and 2011. 

Although only in their early 20s, they have been generous in their support of High Rowing. While not having the time to continue coaching, they got caught in a bidding war at the Rowing Appeal Dinner in May last year, managed to bid enough to purchase the Burton single scull, and put their names on it!