WA Rowers Named in Australian Senior Squad
Rowing Australia has announced the 2016 Australian Rowing Team that will compete at World Rowing Cups 2 and 3, along with the Final Olympic and Paralympic Qualification Regattas.
The selected squads contain three WAIS scholarship athletes, with David Watts in the men’s double scull, Rhys Grant in the men’s single scull and Alex Hagan in the women’s eight, all listed.
Fellow WA rowers Davinia Lefroy and Brock Ingram will also compete for Australia, as members of the LTA Mixed Four.
WAIS head rowing coach Rhett Ayliffe will coach the men’s and women’s double scull as well as Grant in the men’s single scull.
Seven crews will compete at World Rowing Cup 2 from 27 to 29 May in Lucerne, Switzerland and nine at World Rowing Cup 3 in Poznan, Poland from 17-19 June.
Australia is set to send five crews to the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta from 22-24 May in Lucerne, Switzerland and one crew to the Final Paralympic Qualification Regatta from 21-23 April in Gavirate, Italy.
The Final Olympic Qualification Regatta, which precedes World Rowing Cup 2, will see Australia attempt to qualify a Men’s Coxed Eight, a Women’s Coxed Eight, a Lightweight Women’s Double Scull and a Men’s Single Scull. Meanwhile, the Legs, Trunks and Arms Mixed Coxed Four will attempt to grab a spot for Australia at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games by competing at the Final Paralympic Qualification Regatta in April.
General Manager – Sport, Jaime Fernandez said: “The trialing process is always a rigorous one with selectors endeavouring to establish a competitive edge between athletes.
“Where we have selected squads, the reasoning behind this was to ensure that our fastest crews were ultimately put on the water and to maintain strong competition for seats within those squads.
“Crew performances will continue to be assessed throughout the coming months as we lead into the World Cups and Final Qualification Regattas, and therefore all athletes should remain focused on maintaining their competitive mindset to ensure the best possible performances on the water will translate into podium outcomes.”
Australian Rowing Team Head Coach, Chris O’Brien said: “We are performance-based sport where the ultimate test comes when you have to perform under competitive pressure.
“In my role, which has a clear on-water focus, I will endeavour to support the selected crews and squads, along with their coaches, to get best possible outcomes on the water.
“At the conclusion of this event all the athletes during the coming months will be taking part in the Hancock Prospecting and Georgina Hope Foundation Destination Gold Camp at the Reinhold Batschi National Training Centre in Canberra. I look forward to working with all the crews over the coming year.”
-RowingAus