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New South Wales Women's Senior Championship Fours pennant

Maker School Uniforms Store

Date1930

Object number00032997

NamePennant

MediumFelt, paint, braid

DimensionsOverall: 278 x 750 x 8 mm, 0.1 kg

ClassificationsCommemorative artefacts

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Susan Bridie

Terms

DescriptionThis pennant was awarded by the New South Wales Ladies Rowing Association to the Senior Champions of NSW in 1930. The pennant has a painted image depicting a rowing boat. The crew raced in Sydney on 20 December 1930 and consisted of I Pike in bow, A Mann in 2nd seat, F Thurston in 3rd seat and R C Goodman in stroke.HistoryFrom the turn of the twentieth century, women have formed their own teams, clubs, organised their own races and raised their own funds. Before WWI most rowing clubs were called 'ladies clubs'. After the War, administrators anxious to reflect the broadening social base of the sport, and the expansion in women's lives and opportunities, began instead to use the term 'women'. The 1920s and 30s were big decades for women rowers as more women joined the workforce and women's team sports became popular. The 'lady rowers' of the early part of the century eventually emerged as popular women's teams in the 1920s and 30s. This period saw a boom in women's rowing through the formation of amateur associations, the successful staging of national sporting events and the increased coverage of women's sport in the national press. Women rowers however faced a great deal more criticism than other sportswomen, as rowing was percieved as unfeminine. Competitive rowing was also probably the first women's sport that required everyday practise. Most other sportswomen (and men) would never have dreamed of practising more then once or twice a week - the era of scientific training had not yet arrived.SignificanceThe pennant recalls an era of sporting enthusiasm rowing clubs enjoyed large support amongst the community, national sporting bodies and the press.