Head of the River (New South Wales)

The Head of the River rowing regatta refers to two New South Wales school rowing competitions, one for boys and one for girls.

The AAGPS Head of the River regatta is run by the Athletic Association of the Great Public Schools of New South Wales, and takes place in Penrith, New South Wales, Australia every March at the Sydney International Regatta Centre (SIRC).

From 1893 until 1935, the Regatta was held on the Parramatta River; from 1936 until 1996 on the Nepean River; and since 1996 at the Olympic course. From 1893 until 1909 the race was contested by four-oared boats, and by eight-oared boats since then. Since 1996 the race has been contested over 2000 metres; all previous events were over a mile and a half, except in 1946 and 1947 when the races were over a mile and a quarter. It is the culmination of the GPS (Great Public Schools) rowing season for senior crews, and has been held since 1893. Eight of the nine GPS schools, Sydney Grammar School, The King's School, Newington College, Sydney Boys High School, The Scots College, St. Joseph's College, Saint Ignatius' College and Shore School, send their crews to the Head of the River. One of the most successful coaches of rowing amongst the schools was Robert Buntine at King's and Newington from 1966 until 1996.

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