NSWIS Rowers Selected For National Teams

The next generation of Australian rowing stars have been named to take to the water for the World Rowing Under 23 Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, from July 19-23 and among them are four NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) athletes. 

They are Nikolas Pender (UTS) in the U23 Men’s Coxless Four: U23M4- and Torben Ungemach (UTS), Alex Wood (UTS) and Hannah Cowap (SU) in the U23 Men’s Coxed Four: U23M4+.

Rowing Australia Deputy Performance Director Jaime Fernandez OLY said the selection trials were the culmination of a finely tuned pathway system that began at grassroots level. 

“We see the talent on show at the trials but are aways thankful of our key partners in supporting this regatta and helping us build a strong team. That includes clubs, parents, friends, member associations and our state institutes and academies,” Fernandez said. 

“This was a great opportunity for our rising rowers to be at the same location and have the same trial period as the seniors. It gives them a real insight and understanding as to what it takes to compete at the highest level of our sport.” 

The U23 team will race at the Australian Rowing Championships in Perth from March 27 before returning for a crucial training block prior to travelling to Europe for the World Rowing U23 Championships. 

Like many Australian sports, the tyranny of distance can make meaningful international competition scarce. Fernandez said that was why the World Rowing U23 Championships is such a key event and a perfect education for young athletes. 

“They may only get access to one international competition each year, so exposure to that level of competition is vital, not just for the athletes but also our coaches. That’s why we always try to strike a balance between performance and opportunity. The U23 team has been a wonderful vehicle to provide that opportunity and a good pathway for progression into our Senior and Olympic teams.”

In other selections, NSWIS athletes Jaime Ford and Eleanor Price have been selected in the women’s eight to travel to the USA for the 2023 Windermere Cup alongside George Finlayson, Alexander Wolf, Marcus Britt, Alex Nichol and Bradley Graham who have been selected in the men’s eight.

And the following NSWIS athletes have been selected in the Senior Australian Rowing Team for the 2023 season.

Thomas Birtwhistle (UTS), in PR3 mixed 4+ squad,  Georgina Rowe (UTS) in the women’s coxed eight, Lucy Coleman, (SU) in the  lightweight women’s double sculls and Georgia Miansarow, (SU) in the lightweight women’s sculling reserve. Dave Bartholot (SU) men’s double sculls, Campbell Watts (SU) men’s quad sculls, Jack Hargreaves (SU), Alexander Purnell (SU) and Spencer Turrin (SRC) in the men’s coxless four, Sam Hardy (SRC), Paddy Holt (UTS), Jackson Kench (SU), Joseph O’Brien (SU), and Will O’Shannessy (SU) in the men’s coxed eight and mens pair squad. Sean Murphy (UTS) in the lightweight men’s double scull.

Article courtesy of Rowing Australia