24 July; Phina Newton
Bachelor of Biomedicine student James Houghton and Bachelor of Science student Zara Lavery have been concurrently awarded the John Hall Rowing Scholarship for 2025.
The John Hall Rowing Scholarship was established in memory of John Hall by his son Richard to support talented rowers to continue competitively rowing with the Melbourne University Boat Club whilst studying at the University of Melbourne.
Bachelor of Science student Zara Lavery will continue to receive support from the John Hall Rowing Scholarship after being awarded the scholarship in 2024.
Currently in his final year of a Bachelor of Biomedicine, James Houghton dreams of one day studying medicine. He also has big dreams of representing Australia in rowing. More specifically, he wishes to be selected for the national team to compete at the 2026 World Rowing U23 Championship.
It's no secret that balancing elite sport and academics has its challenges, of which the University does its best to ease. Houghton noting,
“The University has been helpful in assisting me when I miss classes or need extensions for assignments that clash with competitions.”
Houghton notes the University’s Elite Athlete Program (EAP) for contributing to his rising success and the difference it has made to his training. He states that the main benefit of the program has been access to the Beaurepaire Centre Gym, and Strength and Conditioning Coach Ben Andrews.
“It is only recently that I have fully understood how critical the gym is to a rower.
It may sound silly given it is a sport known for the demands placed upon a rower’s muscles, but I think that it is all too easy to be swept away in the demand for aerobic fitness.”
The expertise from Coach Andrews has given Houghton an upper hand in his training and isn’t something he would have had access to otherwise.
“Ben has been crucial to my development in the gym these past months, teaching me technique in Olympic lifting and building a strength base which I hope will enable me to reach a much higher level in my rowing. Without the EAP, I do not think that my progress to this point would be the same.”
So far, the University has had a profound impact on Houghton, allowing him to pursue and encourage both his academic and sporting career.
However, there are other costs that come at a student-athlete's own expense. For Houghton, on top of studying and rowing, he was also working part-time. Now, thanks to the John Hall Rowing Scholarship, he doesn’t have the extra burden.
“The scholarship means that I can more freely pursue my training and rowing commitments without having to worry about working and paying for my rowing fees and food.”
It’s not only a financial benefit from the scholarship, but it also benefits Houghton’s mental and physical health.
“Most importantly, I will get extra sleep from not having to work. I was previously only able to work a job in the evenings that went till late due to rowing and university commitments. Now, I do not need to do that, and I can focus on recovery.”
For now, Houghton is keen to get to work, but watch this space, because it is clear he is a man on a mission.
