Xavier College’s new Empacher, a boat that will serve as Xavier’s First VIII racing shell and, we hope, carry Xavier crews through many important races and experiences in the years ahead, was blessed and Christened today at the College.
Empacher boats are regarded as the finest racing shells in the world and are used at the very highest levels of international and Olympic rowing. For our boys to have access to equipment of this standard is an extraordinary opportunity.
The boat was purchased through the incredible generosity of Rita André who passed away last year. Rita’s husband, Jim André, rowed in the two seat of Xavier’s first Head of the River-winning First VIII in 1928. We already have an eight in our fleet carrying Jim’s name, recognising both his place in Xavier Rowing history and the family’s enduring connection with the College.
Today this new boat becomes the Rita O’Sullevan André.
It recognises Rita in her own right, while sitting alongside the Jim André within our fleet. Together, those boats will provide a very tangible reminder to our boys of Rita and Jim’s generosity, their relationship with Xavier, and their wish to support future generations of Xavier rowers.
Following the traditional blessing of the boat by Fr Chris, we were delighted to have Peter Walsh, as Trustee of the Estate of Jim and Rita André, officially Christen the boat, wishing our rowers every success in the future.
