Champions in the Making: Saints Rowers Earn National Colours

We are absolutely thrilled to share that Ntsako Shipalana (Grade 12) and Kenya Simpson (Grade 12) have been selected to represent South Africa at the World Rowing Under 19 Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, this August. Ntsako will race in the JW2X double scull alongside her partner from The Diocesan School for Girls, and Kenya has earned her seat in the JW4X quad alongside crewmates from St Andrew's School for Girls and St Mary's, Waverley. What a group of young women representing the best of South African schoolgirl rowing.

For those who have followed their journey, this achievement represents a significant milestone. Ntsako and Kenya have been part of the Saints rowing programme since Grade 7, demonstrating dedication and perseverance throughout. They were selected for the U16 SASRU tour in 2023, gaining valuable international experience in the UK. In the following year, they delivered a strong school season and progressed through the full provincial and national selection process, narrowly missing final selection. Such moments can be challenging, particularly when goals are so close, yet both athletes showed remarkable resilience. Through continued commitment and renewed focus, Ntsako and Kenya have now earned national selection — a well-deserved recognition of their growth and determination.

It is important to mention coach Bakang Zondi, our new 1st Team coach, who was integral in helping them rediscover their love of performance through that difficult period. It takes a special kind of coach to guide athletes through the lows, whilst still performing at the required levels.

What makes us equally proud is who they are outside the water. Last year, while training at this level, Ntsako achieved Academic Half Colours, and Kenya was awarded Academic Honours. People often say rowing takes up too much time, but our experience is the opposite. The discipline and focus this sport builds is exactly why our athletes can thrive across all areas of school life.

And, finally, behind every athlete who makes it to this level, there is a family that made it possible. The early morning drives to the water, the weekends given over to regattas, the quiet encouragement on the hard days, and the belief held steady when it wavered, none of this happens without parents who are fully invested alongside their daughters. To the Shipalana and Simpson families: this selection belongs to you, too. Thank you for trusting us with your girls and for creating the kind of home environment where young athletes can dare to dream big and do the work to get there.

This is what Saints Rowing is about. We back the whole athlete, and these two have shown what that looks like in practice. We cannot wait to watch #OneAndAll race in Bulgaria.

We share their journey over the years through photographs.

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