Club starlets secure oarsome GB call-up
TWO of Chester-le-street Amateur Rowing Club’s best young prospects have been given the oarsome chance to impress at national level, writes TONY HODGSON.
Junior club captains Harvey Burford and Mia Lowes have followed a long line of j16 rowers from the club to be invited to the Great Britain Team j16 Camp later this month.
The pair were selected after performing impressively in their singles races at the British Junior Rowing Championships.
They finished second and fourth to make it 10 rowers in nine years to be invited to the camp from the club.
The duo – year 11 pupils at Birtley’s Lord Lawson School and Chester-le-street’s Park View School – maintained their form throughout the year and were ranked as the top junior rowers in the region.
CARC secretary Steven Thompson said: “This camp is a gateway to representing Great Britain as they will have further trials through the year.
“Both Harvey and Mia have made a great start on the GB pathway through hard work on the water and on the rowing machine.”
Burford won a bronze medal along with three other Chesterle-street juniors at the National Indoor Championships.
Of his selection, his mum Lindsey said: “We are thrilled Harvey has been given the opportunity to join the GB camp.
“It is something he has worked very hard towards over the last two years.
“None of this would have been possible without the huge support and commitment from all of his volunteer coaches who give so much time to CARC.
“They have inspired and encouraged him throughout his short time at the club and we owe them a huge thank you.”
Lowes said: “I am so excited to be selected for the sculling camp.
“It has been a dream of mine ever since I started rowing at the club.
“I would look up to the older rowers who had also been on the GB pathway and now I get to follow in their footsteps.
“I am really grateful to my amazing coaches for their help and support in getting me to this stage and to all the other rowers and parents at the club who are so supportive.”
Burford and Lowes have been inspired by fellow CARC members Lauren Irwin, Matty Cleugh and Joseph Adamson, who look set to represent Great Britain at the World Under-23 Championships and the Senior World Championships in the summer.