Three WAIS Athletes Selected in Australian Junior Team

WAIS rowing Performance Manager Antonio Maurogiovanni has suggested WA has a “bright” future in the sport after three athletes secured inclusion into the Australian Junior Rowing Team.

With rowing selection trials still in progress till Sunday, the senior A and U23 teams are yet to be finalized, but in encouraging signs for WAIS, David Watts, Matthew Cochran and Hannah Vermeersch have made the team which will compete at this year’s Junior World Championships.

The dynamic partnership of David Watts and Matthew Cochran produced some scintillating performances during trials, with the pair to feature in the men’s coxed four in the Junior Championships and the men’s pair at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore this August.

“David and Matt really imposed themselves over trials and have qualified for the men’s coxed four,” Maurogiovanni said. “It is also a fantastic result for WAIS coach David Milne who has been chosen to coach the squad.”

Hannah Vermeersch will form part of the women’s coxless four after finishing second in the pair trials alongside fellow WA athlete Natasha Gay. Vermeersch will be looking to retain the Junior World Championship that she claimed in the same event at last year’s Junior World Championships.

Maurogiovanni was upbeat regarding the youthful WAIS performances in Penrith, believing it shows a positive future trend.

“There have been some fantastic results in both the U23’s and the juniors,” he said.

“Hannah Jansen is looking very strong for selection in the lightweight single and Tom Gatti and Brendan Murray currently hold the top ranking for selection in the pairs.”

Following long breaks post Beijing, Maurogiovanni was also very pleased with the performances of Amber Bradley and Ben Cureton.

“Amber and Ben have both been invited for the final selection trials in August. For Ben it was his first race since competing at the Olympics and he did well, finishing second with Todd Skipworth, said Maurogiovanni.

“Amber has shown very good improvements since nationals and I think she can be really happy with the results she is showing.”